Ashley Fletcher bags brace as Blackpool beat Carlisle to advance in FA Cup

Striker Ashley Fletcher scored in each half as League One strugglers Blackpool overcame National League highflyers Carlisle 4-1 at Bloomfield Road to secure a place in Monday’s FA Cup third-round draw.

Fletcher, who netted the only goal in Pool’s first-round victory over Scunthorpe, made it 2-0 for Ian Evatt’s side after Tom Bloxham’s 14th-minute opener.

In between, only Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s stunning save from Chris Conn-Clarke prevented the Cumbrians from levelling.

But Blackpool – who currently sit 22nd in the table and were without a win in their last five games in all competitions before this – were largely in control, especially when Scott Banks made it 3-0 after 38 minutes with a stunning left-footed drive.

Carlisle, backed by 3,500 fans in a crowd of 5,958, recovered from 2-0 down to stun the Tangerines’ League One rivals, Reading, 3-2 in the first round.

But only briefly this time did the visitors threaten a great escape. Luke Armstrong reduced the deficit after 51 minutes and Northern Ireland international Peacock-Farrell’s reflex save stopped David Ajiboye making it 3-2.

Though before any comeback gained greater momentum, captain George Honeyman crossed for in-form Fletcher to slide in his 10th of the season and eighth in nine games after 57 minutes as Blackpool progressed.