Burnley's bid to reach the Premier League was overshadowed by Blackpool coach Bob Malcolm attacking one of his own players, substitute Stephen Dobbie, and fans angering player boss Barry Ferguson by throwing tangerines and tennis balls on to the pitch in a bizarre protest against owner Karl Oyston.
Shortly after Michael Kightly's winning goal early in the second half, home supporters protesting against chairman Karl Oyston threw tennis balls and tangerines on to the turf while some invaded the pitch as referee Michael Oliver was forced to stop play twice.
Things would only get worse, though, as television cameras captured Malcolm pushing substitute Dobbie in the face as the striker waited to come on to the pitch.
Flashpoint: A TV grab of Blackpool coach Bob Malcolm pushing Stephen Dobbie in the face
Clash: Sub Stephen Dobbie was preparing to go on when he was confronted by coach Bob Malcolm
Off you go: Coach Bob Malcolm was sent to the stands after his clash with Stephen Dobbie
'There is no problem,' Blackpool player manager Barry Ferguson said after the full-time whistle.
'Tensions are a bit high; I have no problem with that. They are both passionate guys.'
The visitors were leading through Kightly's second-half strike when the game was help up after Blackpool fans behind Gilks' goal hurled tennis balls and tangerines on to the pitch, forcing referee Oliver to halt proceedings.
Blackpool
fans are unhappy with the lack of investment in the club by Oyston
following the club's lucrative two-season stay in the Premier League.
The protest originates from fans of Swiss teams Luzern and Basel fans protesting at their top of the table clash being moved to a 12:45pm kick off on a Sunday in 2010 to accommodate live TV coverage of a first-round tennis match between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
And, moments later, play was stopped again as a handful of pitch invaders came on to the pitch with continued chants of discontent aimed at Oyston.
Clear up: Blackpool player manger Barry Ferguson picks up tennis ball thrown onto the pitch by fans
Hold up: The match was delayed after fans threw tennis balls and tangerines onto the pitch in protest against owner Karl Oyston
Banner: Blackpool fans protest against owner Karl Oyston during Lancashire derby
Twist: Sam Oyson, Karl's son, tweeted picture of banner protesting against Blackpool owner
While Ferguson can claim there is no problem inside the Blackpool dressing room, the acidic nature of the fans' feeling towards Oyston will only increase if Millwall win on Saturday and send the Seasiders in to the Sky Bet Championship's bottom three.
The
Scot, who is still adored by the fans despite their slide down the
table, claims he understands their frustrations but was disappointed
they decided to show their anger during the second half of the 1-0 defeat by Burnley.
'The fans have got every right to demonstrate if they don't like the chairman or the board,' Ferguson said.
'I would just rather they do it before the game or after the game. At that stage, we were on top of them.
'It doesn't affect me. The fans have been great with me and showed their support for the boys.'
Unrest: A Blackpool fan protests during the Lancashire derby
Angry: Blackpool fans stage a sit in protest after the match
The fans' admiration for Ferguson may be born out of his willingness to play in Blackpool's midfield despite needing an operation on his ankle.
However, while he is fighting through the pain barrier, Seasiders top scorer Ricardo Fuller remains sidelined by a knee injury which will keep him out of Monday's meeting with Brighton.
Blackpool have not won a game without Fuller since the ex-Stoke striker made his bow in August, but Ferguson added: 'I know what type of character Ricky is.
'He would do it but I am not going to harm him long term.
'He is desperate to try and get back, if not for the Wigan game, then for Charlton.'
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