Blackpool 1-0 Millwall

Peter Clarke retured to Blackpool this season having previously played for them between 2004-06

Peter Clarke's first goal since October 2011 gave bottom-of-the-table Blackpool victory over fellow relegation battlers Millwall at Bloomfield Road.

The defender headed Jamie O'Hara's free-kick into the net from eight-yards in the first half.

Substitute Stefan Maierhofer had Millwall's best chance after pouncing on an error from Clarke, but shot high and wide with the goal the gaping.

Victory for Blackpool moved them to within eight points of safety.

Millwall also remained in the drop zone after a fourth defeat on the bounce and the away supporters seemed to vocalise their frustrations towards top scorer and former Blackpool striker Ricardo Fuller, who was eventually substituted by boss Ian Holloway.

Much of the early attacking intent came from the away side, but Blackpool had the first clear-cut chance as Andrea Orlandi saw his ferocious left-foot shot pushed away by David Forde.

Clarke was called into action as he cleared Martyn Woolford's goalbound header off the line with keeper Joe Lewis beaten in the 23rd minute.

But 10 minutes later the defender, who signed from Huddersfield in the summer, opened his account for the Seasiders to give them the lead against the run of play.

After the break, O'Hara came close to doubling the hosts lead as Millwall keeper Lewis cleared straight to the midfielder, and his lob from halfway sailed just beyond the goal.

Millwall pushed for an equaliser with Maierhofer, who returned to the club from his native Austria on Friday, missing a number of chances, but it was Blackpool who had the last opening of the match as French debutant Saer Sene broke clean through on goal, only to be denied by a last-ditch tackle from Sid Nelson.

Blackpool manager Lee Clark:

"It just goes to show how digging in deep and being resilient is crucial.

"We need that spirit. Let's be truthful we're not going to go and out play teams or out pass them. We need to have fight and show courage and determination. Every game is a cup final mentally."

Millwall boss Ian Holloway:

"How is that a defeat? I can't understand it.

"The chances we created on a terrible surface. The events that lead to their goal were pretty bizarre. My right-back wins a great header and the ref gives a free-kick. We've got to defend better and we've got to finish those situations better.

"We've got to bounce back with a cup game against Bradford in midweek. Stronger together is our motto, and without that you can't play for this club."