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Blackpool cruised into the second round of the Carabao Cup as Callum Connolly's strike set them on their way to a dominant win over Championship rivals Middlesbrough.

Boro could not muster an attempt on target throughout and registered only three efforts in total, while the hosts could have reached double figures, such was their dominance.

Connolly smashed in the opening goal after Josh Bowler's free-kick hit the wall - the defender's first goal for the club.

A number of opportunities were wasted as the hosts chased a second.

But two goals in two minutes inside the final quarter of an hour sealed a deserved victory, Shayne Lavery firing in the first and then teeing up Keshi Anderson to strike in the third with his left foot.

The Tangerines should, however, have won by a far greater margin against a Boro side featuring nine changes from Saturday's Championship opener with Fulham and including six youth-team products under the age of 22.

James Husband and Bowler were both off target with early chances and Connolly headed over from a Bowler free-kick before finding the net.

Boro's best chance fell to Martin Payero, but the Argentine's free-kick went just over and Blackpool continued to boss the game after the interval.

Keeper Joe Lumley kept out a Lavery strike and Bowler curled an effort just wide.

Lavery's calm near-post finish - his second in two games - finally brought a second home goal and the victory was sealed when substitute Anderson's flick looped in at the far post.