It was yet another day to forget in this increasingly desperate season for City as they slumped to a 4-1 defeat at home to Blackpool.

Here are T&A chief sports writer Simon Parker's player ratings and game review.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Few in the home side did themselves any favours but Lewis O’Brien produced some positive moments on his return. David Ball, too, at least kept going to the end.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The brief rally that saw City earn a penalty lifeline in the second half – only to blow it.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

The whole place felt horrible from the moment that Eoin Doyle’s spot-kick was saved.

TACTICS

Jack Payne and Lewis O’Brien came in for Billy Clarke and Jacob Butterfield as City went with a 4-3-3 approach.

PLAYER RATINGS

CITY: O’Donnell 5, Caddis 5, A O’Connor 5, Knight-Percival 4, Chicksen 4, Akpan 4, O’Brien 6, Anderson 4 (Wright 74min), Ball 6, Payne 5 (Butterfield 46min, 5), Doyle 5 (Clarke 80min). Subs (not used): P O’Connor, Patrick, Devine, Wilson.

BLACKPOOL: Mafoumbi 7, Nottingham 7, Heneghan 6, Tilt 7, Bola 7, Spearing 7 (Taylor 76min), Virtue 7, Delfouneso 7, Evans 7 (Pritchard 64min), Feeney 6, Gnanduillet 8 (Kirby 81min). Subs (not used): Anderton, Dodoo, Long, Boney.

MATCH STATS

REFEREE: Antony Coggins (Manchester)

BOOKINGS: Akpan, O’Brien (City); Spearing, Tilt, Mafoumbi (Blackpool)

ATTENDANCE: 16,503

SHOTS ON TARGET: City 3 Blackpool 5

SHOTS OFF TARGET: City 11 Blackpool 6

CORNERS: City 7 Blackpool 2

FOULS COMMITTED: City 11 Blackpool 11