There were no changes for either side at half-time, and City created the first opportunity of the second period after 47 minutes. A set piece was only partially cleared and Yunus Emre Konak met the loose ball with a volley, forcing Peacock-Farrell to parry before gathering at the second attempt.
The game swung decisively in City’s favour five minutes later. Jackson sent a big ball over the top for Olaofe to chase, with Ashworth bringing him down as he looked to get away. Having already been booked in the first half, the Blackpool defender was shown a second yellow card and dismissed, leaving the home side with ten men.
City took advantage almost immediately. Elder shaped as though he was going to deliver into the area from a free kick, but instead rolled the ball into the path of Bayliss, who swept a tremendous effort beyond Peacock-Farrell and into the net to restore the Imps’ lead.
Two minutes later it was 3-1. This time Bayliss turned provider, delivering towards the near post where Street ghosted into space and headed home to double the advantage. With Blackpool suddenly two goals and a man down, some of the home support were already beginning to make their way towards the exits.
City were firmly in control, and Bowler went into the book after 57 minutes when Melia got the better of him and was dragged back. There was then a huge penalty appeal moments later when Melia was clearly brought down inside the area, but inexplicably the referee waved play on despite what appeared to be an obvious foul.
Blackpool were beginning to lose their composure, with two late challenges arriving in quick succession around the hour mark. Coulson was booked for one of them as the home side struggled to contain City, before they made a double substitution after 64 minutes as Kylian Kouassi and Jordan Williams replaced Bloxham and Bowler.
The Imps continued to move the ball confidently. A swift passage after 66 minutes saw Elder find Street, who moved it on to Honohan as City worked possession forward and across the pitch, although the latter’s cross was cleared before it could reach Olaofe.
City made a triple change after 71 minutes, with Freddie Draper, Reeco Hackett and Ivan Varfolomeev replacing Melia, Bayliss and Street. Three minutes later, after a lengthy spell of possession, Ivan looked up from around 25 yards and tried his luck, although his effort was comfortably saved by Peacock-Farrell.
The fourth arrived after 77 minutes and summed up City’s control of the contest. After another long sequence of passes, the Imps worked their way down the right and Honohan delivered deep into the area, where Elder arrived completely unmarked to sweep a volley home from around eight yards.
City continued to monopolise possession, with Ivan having another effort from distance after 84 minutes following another extended passing move, but once again Peacock-Farrell dealt with it comfortably.
The final City changes came a minute later as Ethan Wheatley replaced Olaofe and Dom Jefferies came on for Yunus. Even with the game effectively won, there was no drop in intensity. Draper pressed aggressively high up the pitch, eventually forcing Blackpool into conceding a throw-in. Nothing came from it, but with City 4-1 ahead and only a few minutes remaining, the willingness to keep working was still evident.
Towler managed a late effort, made by Draper, who held up and turned well, but the chance lacked venom. It was the last meaningful action of the game, which had been over as a contest long before it was finished as an event.
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