JOHN MURPHY was the hero of the day as Pool progressed to the next stage with a fantastic 4-2 aggregate win over Division One side Stockport County.

He grabbed a hat trick after it looked as though a 2-1 lead by Stockport was going to put them though by the away goals rule with only 5 minutes to spare.

It was mostly much of the same for the Seasiders. Although Phil Barnes started his first game of this season in goal, Brett Ormerod was still out with an ankle injury and Morrison was cup tied.

Blackpool started well when Paul Simpson unleashed a strike on two minutes that almost gave Blackpool a dream start but his shot was well saved.

After a Seasiders-dominated first half Stockport started to settle down and began to attack themselves.

But they were denied repeatedly by some fantastic play by Danny Coid. Coid seemed to do everything right in the Blackpool defence with challenges and interceptions that frustrated Stockport all night. Although Mike Newell should have put Blackpool in front when a cross came to him in the box from Bushell. But Newell took too long to shoot and his effort was blocked.

However minutes later Blackpool were in front. Paul Simpson crossed for Murphy to curl the ball into the net.

In the minutes after the goal Blackpool should have gone further ahead, but again Mike Newellfluffed two chances.

A minute later Stockport were level, through a mistake by Phil Barnes The Seasiders keeper ran out to snatch the ball from County's Tony Dining. But Dining came out of the challenge with the ball and side footed the ball into the empty net.

Stockport restarted the game with new optimism and were soon ahead through Ian Moore. County's superior division status showed for the first time as Moore finished what was an impressive move by County. So now is was Blackpool who had to attack County but they were frustrated by an organized defence. Richard Wellens was at the heart of the Pool attack with some inspirational spirit as well as impressive vision and technique.

With 20 minutes left McMahon brought on Clarkson for Milligan to add more attack to the Blackpool midfield. Clarkson seemed to have immediate impact on the team. Pool were nearly handed a fluke goal when Steve Bushell's cross-come-shot looked as though it would land in the top corner but the ball agonisingly hit the bar and went over.

But Blackpool leveled on 85 minutes thanks to the Blackpool front men. Mike Newell flicked on to his partner Murphy who fired Blackpool level and 3-2 up on aggregate. It was another excellent strike by Murphy who needed the second goal for a well needed confidence booster.

And if his confidence was high after the second it must have been sky high when he grabbed a hat-trick in the last minute. The goal was all made by Wellens who seemed to take on the whole of the County defence to pull back to Murphy who couldn't miss. 3-2 on the day, 4-2 on aggregate with just injury time left, surely Blackpool couldn't throw it away this time.

To the delight of the Seasiders support, Pool hung on and have to opportunity to face Premiership teams or Preston and Burnley in the next round.