Peterborough United claimed a smash-and-grab win at Blackpool this afternoon to give their hopes of survival a huge boost.

Thomas Ince and Matt Phillips set the tone early on as Blackpool forced Robert Olejnik to make a pair of strong saves.

Alex Baptiste then flashed a pass across goal but his effort narrowly evaded Ince at the far post.

Posh were restricted to a pair of long-range efforts in the first 30 minutes, which Lee Tomlin and Jack Payne both drilled wide.

A long delay held the first half up as Barry Ferguson went down after taking a boot to the face.

© PA Photos

The Scot was eventually taken off on a stretcher and replaced by Angel Martinez after receiving lengthy treatment.

Just three minutes before half time Boro took the lead against the run of play when Kane Ferdinand slotted home after meeting Tommy Rowe's header across goal.

Dwight Gayle came close to doubling the visitor's advantage early in the second half on the counter but shot just over the bar.

Phillips threatened with a low strike in the closing stages but Olejnik was equal to the effort.

Posh stayed strong late on as Blackpool lost their way to leave Paul Ince still searching for his first win at Bloomfield Road.