Blackpool 0-2 Derby: Malcolm Ebiowei and Eiran Cashin earn victory for Rams
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Malcolm Ebiowei set Derby on their way to victory
Malcolm Ebiowei and Eiran Cashin scored their first senior goals as already relegated Derby County ended a run of nine consecutive away defeats with a battling victory over Blackpool.
A first half lacking in quality saw both sides struggle to create opportunities, but the Seasiders squandered the best chance to go ahead when Gary Madine saw his penalty saved by Kelle Roos after James Husband had been felled in the area by Festy Ebosele.
Both sides improved after the interval, with Kirk and Madine both going close for the hosts.
But Ebiowei fired home the opening goal from inside the box after a smart cross by Ravel Morrison.
Victory in front of more than 4,000 travelling fans was all but assured when the excellent Ebiowei sent in an inviting free-kick which Cashin converted past keeper Chris Maxwell.
Third-from-bottom Derby's 14th win of the season capped a more encouraging week for Wayne Rooney's troubled side, with the Rams boss saying that he expects to have the club's takeover agreed in the next 10 days.
Chris Kirchner was earlier this month named as the preferred bidder to buy the Rams and take them out of administration.
Meanwhile, Blackpool are 16th in the table but could still climb as high as 10th with victory against Peterborough United on the final day of the season on Saturday, 7 May.
Blackpool boss Neil Critchley: "When you get a crowd like we had today, you want to give them a day to remember with some goals and a win. Unfortunately, we've not been able to do that.
"The game probably epitomised our season a bit. We were the better team in large parts, but didn't finish our chances. We conceded two really poor goals, and that was frustrating.
"Gary had his penalty saved - the goalkeeper pulled off a very good save. We've had other chances and lots of moments in the final third which we didn't finish.
"It's obviously disappointing to lose but it doesn't change my opinion of the season as a whole. We've had a very good season."
Derby boss Wayne Rooney: "I'm delighted. We weren't at our best. It's as poor a performance as we've had for while.
"But football's a funny game. We kept a clean sheet. Kelle kept us in a with a great penalty save. We got the first goal, which is so important, saw the game out and came away with three points.
"We dug in. The lads have showed spirit and togetherness all season. It was a big moment for Malcom and Cash to get their first goals.
"We've had incredible support all season. The fans deserve a lot of credit. We are proud of the fans and I'd like to say thank you to the Blackpool fans for clapping the players off."