Reading 3-1 Blackpool - Tom Ince scores twice against his old club as Royals cruise to win over Tangerines

Blackpool's Sonny Carey fired a consolation in stoppage-time

Tom Ince bagged a brace against his former club as Reading cruised to a win against lowly Blackpool.

Recalled to the side by his dad, Royals boss Paul Ince, the midfielder fired home via a deflection early on and doubled his tally from close range in the final 20 minutes.

Andy Carroll stroked home a penalty in-between as the hosts moved up to 14th, now 13 points above the drop zone.

Despite a Sonny Carey consolation it was a fifth straight away defeat for the Seasiders who have now registered just one win in 17 games and remain level on points with bottom club Wigan.

Manager Mick McCarthy made seven changes as he sought to turn around his side's fortunes and Pool's Curtis Nelson saw an early strike charged down while Chris Maxwell saved a header from the recalled Yakou Meite at the other end.

The deadlock was broken on 13 minutes as Ince picked up the ball on the edge of the box, jinked into the box and fired in a shot which deflected off a defender and over Maxwell.

Ince didn't celebrate against his former side but it didn't stop him causing havoc and soon after he curled in an enticing cross which evaded Carroll by inches.

Carroll did connect after controlling Amadou Mbengue's cross on his chest, but flashed his shot over the bar while Gary Madine, back from suspension, went close with a similar effort past the upright at the other end just before the break.

In the second half, Jordan Thorniley saw a shot blocked and Luke Garbutt curled an angled free-kick straight at Joe Lumley as the Seasiders sought a leveller.

Lumley held Carey's first-time shot but the tide turned and Reading put the result beyond doubt from the spot midway through the second period after Meite was sent clear and brought down by Nelson in the box. Carroll coolly slotted his fourth goal in five career appearances against the Tangerines.

Ince grabbed his second two minutes later with a fine close-range finish after the marauding Meite's cross was only half cleared but the visitors had the final word as Carey thumped home a stoppage-time consolation.

Reading manager Paul Ince told BBC Radio Berkshire:

"It wasn't quite a perfect afternoon - we conceded a goal in the last minute which was very disappointing.

"Overall it was pleasing, the second half was not as good - in the first half I thought we were very good, passed well and created enough chances to put the game to bed at half-time.

"There was a lot of pressure on us today, the expectation playing Blackpool - no disrespect to them, they're fighting for their lives to stay in the league - the expectation was for us to win.

"I don't care who you are playing in this league, Sheffield United or Blackpool, the games are tough. I am really pleased."

Blackpool manager Mick McCarthy:

"It can't go on like this. But we don't want it to and we're trying everything we can to stop it.

"Yes, as a team, it's unacceptable. And what happens if it continues is that you get relegated.

"So we're going to have to try to turn that around, which we're doing.

"It [the poor form] can carry on. But there's not one of those players out there who are not trying to stop it.

"Whether or not they've got enough quality, we'll find out in the next 12 games. Out of adversity comes strength as well. So let's hope that's the case.

"While there is still a spark of life in me, we'll be trying to keep this team in the league."