CHERRIES were rocked by Blackpool's little-and-large combination at Bloomfield Road.

Goals from dimunitive winger Adrian Forbes and big striker Ben Burgess condemned Kevin Bond's side to defeat.

Forbes deservedly fired the hosts ahead after 36 minutes as the Seasiders put Cherries to the sword for long periods during the first half.

And Burgess left them with a mountain to climb when he netted with a stunning volley just nine minutes into the second half.

Bond's charges offered very little in response during a lacklustre performance and were given a chasing by the play-off hopefuls.

And with Cheltenham collecting a share of the points at Port Vale, defeat also saw Cherries slip closer to the relegation mire.

Stephen Purches was restored to the Cherries starting line-up as boss Bond made one change following Saturday's 2-0 win over Doncaster.

Bjarni Vidarsson made way for Purches, while Neil Young and James Hayter were both named among the Cherries substitutes.

Former Dean Court favourite Claus Jorgensen earned a recall for Blackpool, while ex-Cherries loan star Simon Gillett also started for the Seasiders.

Blackpool were also forced to make a late change after skipper Michael Jackson was sick during the warm-up. He was replaced by Kaspars Gorkss.

Cherries had a huge let-off after just 27 seconds when Forbes burst into the box and struck the inside of the post with a ferocious left-foot effort.

The visitors were then thankful to goalkeeper Neil Moss for turning Andy Morrell's goalbound strike around the post just minutes later.

And after the resultant corner had found its way to Jorgensen lurking on the edge of the box, his thunderous drive flashed inches past the upright.

Jorgensen's stooping header cleared the crossbar after Shaun Barker's mule-like throw had found him on the far post in the 11th minute.

David McGoldrick's scuffed shot failed to trouble Blackpool goalkeeper Paul Rachubka as Cherries struggled during the early stages.

Moss was well placed to save from Morrell after the striker had met David Fox's 16th-minute corner with a header from barely a yard out.

Cherries were forced into an early change when Marcus Browning was replaced by Danny Hollands after suffering a recurrence of a calf injury 19 minutes in.

And the visitors continued to come under attack, with Moss saving bravely at the feet of Burgess after the striker had looked to pounce on Jorgensen's cross.

As Blackpool looked to make their height advantage pay, Cherries survived a couple of frantic goalmouth scrambles midway through the first half.

The hosts finally made the breakthrough after 36 minutes when Forbes beat Moss with a low shot from around 12 yards following good work by Burgess.

And on the balance of play in the opening period, it was no more than the Seasiders deserved having dominated for long spells.

Morrell went close to doubling their lead when his clipped effort drifted narrowly wide on the stroke of half-time.

A half-time switch saw Hayter replace Pitman and Cherries made an encouraging start to the second half, despite failing to create a clear-cut opportunity.

But disaster struck when Blackpool extended their lead just nine minutes after the break through Burgess, who netted for the second game running.

The striker planted a delightful volley past Moss after Karl Broadhurst had inadvertently headed Barker's cross invitingly into his path.

Cherries looked for an instant response and Marc Wilson's curling free kick was saved low down by Rachubka, the keeper seriously tested for the first time on the hour.

The under-worked Seasiders goalkeeper then saved at the second attempt after Hayter had tried his luck from distance in the 76th minute.

And as Cherries rallied in the closing stages, Vidarsson clipped the top of the crossbar after trading passes with Hayter.