Blackpool

Matt Gilks – 5 Never looked comfortable. Had no chance with the Cardiff goals but lucky to get away with a mistake on the hour mark, when Ledley got to a corner before him, and later made another error when he dropped Kennedy's cross.

Seamus Coleman – 7 Excellent challenge on Chopra in the first half stopped the Cardiff striker in his tracks, and he contributed to the third goal when he cut in from the right. Like Crainey on the opposite flank, broke forward at every opportunity.

Ian Evatt – 5 Played a part in Blackpool's second, when his hooked shot was cleared off the line by Kennedy before Taylor-Fletcher headed in, but looked vulnerable when defending at the other end, especially up against Chopra's pace and movement.

Alex Baptiste – 6 Another who will be happy to see the back of Chopra. The striker's movement troubled him at times and he was caught out when Ledley scored Cardiff's second, but he stood firm in the second half when Cardiff pressed for a third.

Stephen Crainey – 7 Keen to get forward whenever possible and seemed to be playing almost like an orthodox winger at times as he pushed forward to force Cardiff back. Also made a couple of crucial defensive interventions in the closing moments.

Keith Southern – 7 The long-serving midfielder was an indefatigable presence in the Blackpool midfield. Tried to break from midfield and had a chance to add a fourth after the break when he drilled a left-footed shot over as space opened up.

David Vaughan – 7 The anchorman in the Blackpool midfield where he played a crucial role as he linked up play with his neat passing, especially during the first half. Worked tirelessly before he was withdrawn in injury time and replaced by Bannan.

Charlie Adam – 7 Some wayward passing in the first half and, on occasions, seemed to be trying too hard to make his presence felt, but nothing wrong with the brilliant 30‑yard free-kick that he curled into the top corner for his 19th goal of the season.

DJ Campbell – 6 No repeat of his hat-trick in the semi-final second leg but he was always a threat. Drifted across the Cardiff defence with menace, and his perseverance was rewarded when his sinuous run led to Blackpool's vital third goal.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher – 7 Unlucky to see a dipping 20-yard volley that was casually struck come back off the upright, but headed home moments later after pinball in the Cardiff defence. Replaced by Burgess early in the second half after pulling up.

Brett Ormerod – 7 The Blackpool hero. Lucky not to be booked when he needlessly caught Marshall early on, but proved a willing runner and finished the first half by stabbing home what must be one of the most important goals in Blackpool's history.

Substitutes Ben Burgess 6 (Taylor-Fletcher 53), Stephen Dobbie 6 (Ormerod 68), Barry Bannan n/a (Vaughan 90) Subs not used Paul Rachubka, Billy Clarke, Jason Euell, Rob Edwards

Cardiff City

David Marshall – 6 The hero in the semi-final, when he saved two penalties in the second leg, but culpable for the second Blackpool goal when he made a hash of dealing with the corner that Taylor-Fletcher eventually headed in.

Kevin McNaughton – 6 Spent much of the first half on the back foot when Blackpool controlled possession for long periods and took a heavy knock early in the second half that eventually led to him being replaced by Gerrard.

Mark Hudson – 5 Poor header back to his keeper in the second half epitomised the nervousness that gripped the Cardiff defence. Will not want to see footage of Blackpool's third goal again when Campbell was allowed to wriggle clear.

Darcy Blake – 5 Goal ruled out for offside in first-half stoppage time but the 21-year-old looked uncertain when defending. Moved to right-back after Gerrard's introduction and pulled up with cramp in the closing stages.

Mark Kennedy – 6 A play-off winner with Wolves seven years ago but ended up on the losing side this time. Managed to get forward a little more in the second half after being pinned back in the opening 45 minutes.

Chris Burke – 5 Enjoyed an excellent season but this was not one of his better games. Set up the chance that led to Chopra hitting the bar in the second half but otherwise made little impression and was replaced by McCormack.

Stephen McPhail – 6 Unfortunate to concede the free-kick that Adam converted to give Cardiff the lead when Vaughan's shot struck his hand. The game seemed to pass him by a little afterwards.

Joe Ledley – 7 Scored a splendid goal when he swept a left-footed shot across Gilks after a neat exchange with Whittingham and came close to a second with a glancing header after the interval. Likely to be his final game for the club.

Peter Whittingham – 7 The architect of Cardiff's better moments. Created an excellent chance for Chopra inside four minutes and then set up the first two goals with intelligent passes that opened up the Blackpool defence. Faded in the second half but difficult to fault.

Kelvin Etuhu – 5 An early replacement for Bothroyd but not a like-for-like one. Always seemed to be on the periphery. An angled shot in the second half that Gilks tipped over was his one noteworthy contribution.

Michael Chopra – 8 Looked like a Premier League striker. Hit the bar after four minutes and struck it again early in the second half having put Cardiff ahead in-between with a clinical finish across Gilks. Did not deserve to be on the losing side.

Substitutes Kelvin Etuhu (see above; Bothroyd 6 15), Ross McCormack 6 (Burke 58), Anthony Gerrard 6 (McNaughton 74) Subs not used Enckelman, Quinn, Capaldi, Wildig, McCormack, Etuhu