Ten-man Sheffield Wednesday slid into the relegation zone after falling to a damaging 2-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Blackpool.The Owls were 2-1 down at the break and their hopes of salvaging a point were dealt a blow when full-back Peter Gilbert was sent off in the 51st minute for an apparent butt on Paul Dickov.

On-loan Manchester City striker Dickov won the points for Blackpool with a superb 30th-minute volley after Owls skipper Richard Wood had cancelled out Claus Jorgensen's early opener.

The result was a significant blow to Wednesday's survival hopes and left them without a win in eight games, following a run of seven successive draws.

Wednesday's travelling army of supporters had clearly come to see their side record victory but it was Blackpool who began the brighter.

Simon Grayson's men went into the game in 18th place in the Championship - two points above the relegation zone and just one point above Wednesday.

They led in the sixth minute when Jorgensen collected a pass from Wes Hoolahan and advanced forward at pace towards the Owls defence.

Jorgensen showed neat footwork to outfox several Wednesday defenders and engineer the space for a shot which beat visiting goalkeeper Lee Grant and flew into the back of the net.

Wednesday's response, however, was impressive and after Jermaine Johnson's shot was tipped over by Paul Rachubka, they drew level in the 12th minute through Wood.

Johnson was fouled by Stephen Crainey down the right flank and a Franck Songo'o free-kick was headed home by Wood.

The equaliser set the tone for a period of sustained Wednesday pressure and another header from Wood drew a smart stop from Rachubka.

Johnson then had a shot blocked by Blackpool defender Kaspars Gorkss and a header by Bartosz Slusarski was cleared by Crainey.

Wednesday could not make their dominance pay and were ruthlessly punished in the 30th minute when Dickov struck in clinical fashion.

Gorkss flicked the ball into the box and veteran Dickov netted with a brilliant left-foot volley which beat Grant and nestled in the top corner.

Wednesday went close to an equaliser in the 50th minute when Tommy Spurr crossed from the left and Slusarski sidefooted the ball wide.

But moments later Wednesday's hopes were dealt a blow when Gilbert became embroiled in a spat with Dickov and was shown a straight red card for appearing to butt the former Arsenal forward.

Dickov was also booked for his part in the incident but Wednesday responded strongly, despite their numerical disadvantage.

Songo'o drilled in a fine shot which Rachubka saved but Blackpool had chances of their own.

Shortly before the hour mark, Hoolahan crossed from the left and Ian Evatt shot goalwards from 18 yards.

Jorgensen then fired wide from distance before Gorkss had a header cleared from Lee Bullen as Blackpool held on to take a huge step towards safety.

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