Blackpool 0 QPR 3

Blackpool opened well and had the better of the early chances with winger Gary Taylor-Fletcher looking for Dudley Campbell to net his third in three for the Tangerines.

However, his luck wasn't in and it was the London outfit who took the lead just minutes later.

Against the run-of-play, Rangers broke down the right, swift winger Wayne Routledge opening up the defence with an impressive cross which left the Iceland international with little to do for the opener.

Managerless Blackpool looked to respond immediately with David Vaughan and Campbell forcing good saves from Lee Camp in goal.

The pace of Routledge proved instrumental in the match though and ten minutes before the break he again split Blackpool open creating a three on two situation which was only thwarted by a careless offside move.

After half-time, Rangers remained on top and when Blackpool stalwart Ian Evatt lunged out at Helguson there was no doubt as the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

Helguson stroked his spot-kick straight down the centre to open up a comfortable lead.

Blackpool threw everything they had at Rangers with on-loan front man Krisztian Nemeth making his debut, but there was little they could do to break down the visitors.

With just under 20 minutes to play, Seasiders' defender Stephen Crainey limped off to leave the home side a man down and it was all over bar the shouting as substitute Hogan Ephraim crashed a shot past a helpless Paul Rachubka in injury time to make it a comfortable win for Paulo Sousa's men.