Blackpool friendly game abandoned after pitch invasion

A small number of Blackpool fans invaded the pitch at Lancaster City

Blackpool's pre-season friendly match against Lancaster City on Saturday was abandoned following a second-half pitch invasion by Seasiders fans.

The referee called the game off after 75 minutes when a small number of Blackpool supporters descended on the centre-circle to protest against chairman Karl Oyston.

Blackpool's last league game of 2014-15 was also abandoned after a fan protest.

The club was charged by the Football Association over the first incident.

Lancaster City FC tweeted after the abandonment

Blackpool were leading 3-1 against their Lancashire rivals in new manager Neil McDonald's first game in charge, when a "handful" of fans from the away end came onto the pitch.

The protest followed similar lines to the one on 2 May when several hundred supporters gathered in the centre-circle at Bloomfield Road during Blackpool's final Championship fixture against Huddersfield.

That game was also called off and the club was charged with "failing to ensure that no spectators or unauthorised persons were able to encroach onto the pitch area".

Saturday's incident was the latest in a number of disputes between fans and owner Owen Oyston and the chairman over their running of the club.

The Seasiders endured a miserable 2014-15 campaign, in which they finished bottom of the Championship with just four wins all season.