Was this an FA Cup shock? Based on league form and Blackpool’s decline it could be argued not. Nevertheless, Barnet progressed to round two for the first time in four years by beating the League One side 2-0.
And they thoroughly deserved to as well.
The Tangerines were almost as miserable as the weather at The Hive as goals from Tom Champion and Michael Gash settled this tie in favour of the divisional underdogs.
Less than 300 Blackpool supporters made the long trip down from the Fylde coast in order to prevent the club’s controversial owners, the Oystons, profiting from the FA Cup’s 50:50 ticket sales split.
On this performance it is easy to understand that decision on a football basis too. Pool were abject and only forced their first corner late in the second half.
But credit to Barnet where it’s due, too. Martin Allen’s side were excellent value for their victory and never looked stretched by a side who were three divisions above them in the Championship last term.
Despite ‘revealing’ he had been injured in training in the week, Allen sprung a surprise by starting Sam Muggleton down the left-hand side of midfield, allowing Elliott Johnson to return to left-back in place of the injured Bira Dembele.
Josh Clarke was not involved in the matchday 16 meaning Luke Gambin took his place in the other change. Andy Yiadom continued at right-back.
Muggleton very nearly opened the scoring with just 11 minutes on the clock when one of his trademark long throws – aided by the presence of towel-wielding ball boys – landed back at his feet. The left-back took aim and curled agonizingly wide of the far post from wide on the right.
Barnet had been comfortably in control, save for one Kwame Thomas effort which briefly fooled the travelling supporters after hitting the side netting of Jamie Stephens’ goal.
After making six changes to his starting XI, Blackpool boss Neil McDonald was forced into another just after the half-hour mark as goalkeeper and captain Colin Doyle hobbled off following a clash with John Akinde.
Backup stopper Kyle Letheren hardly inspired great confidence in and the Bees promptly went ahead four minutes after his introduction.
A Curtis Weston corner from the left-hand side appeared a routine take for the Pool keeper but he made a mess of claiming the ball and Champion touched the Bees in front with his first goal for the club.
Tom Champion (partially obscured) gets the faintest touch to Curtis Weston's corner. Picture: Dave Loveday
And things went from bad to worse for the visitors six minutes later as Barnet doubled up.
Weston did well to get up and knock the ball down for Gambin who tore down the left-hand edge of the penalty area before sitting up a hanging cross for Gash to bludgeon home from point-blank range to give the Bees a commanding half-time lead.
Michel Gashh gets between Clark Robertson (5) and Charles Dunne (18) to nod home. Picture: Dave Loveday
The Bees maintained control in the early exchanges at the start of the second half without carving out a genuine opportunity.
However, that all changed in the 58th minute when Akinde wriggled his way down the left and crossed to the edge of the area for Yiadom, who in turn cut onto his left foot before testing Letheren with a firm strike.
Barnet’s first real chance to add a third came when Clark Robertoson's ill-advised header to central defensive partner Tom Aldred saw Akinde outmuscle the intended recipient, sprinting through before lifting his effort over.
John Akinde had Barnet's best chance to stretch their lead after the break. Picture: Len Kerswill
Michael Nelson came closer still with little under 15 minutes remaining but saw his firm header from a corner clawed away at the near post by Letheren.
Pool stilll had a little fight in them late on but the underworked Jamie Stephens was more than equal to substitute Mark Cullen's first-time strike from close range, getting down well to turn the ball onto and over the crossbar.
The FA Cup second round draw is on BBC 2 at 7pm on Monday.
Barnet: Stephens; Yiadom (c), N'Gala, Nelson, Johnson; Gambin (Bailey 82), Weston, Champion, Muggleton (Hoyte 68); Akinde (Batt 75), Gash.
Subs: McKenzie-Lyle (GK), Togwell, McLean, Odofin.
Blackpool: Doyle (c) (Letheren 32); Higham, Aldred, Robertson, Dunne; Rivers, Cubero, Herron (Oliver 65), Higham; Thomas, Paterson (Cullen 65).
Subs: Ferguson, Potts, Osayi-Samuel, Redshaw.
Referee: Kevin Johnson.
Attendance: 1,869 (277 away supporters).
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