Blackpool manager Steve McMahon didn't mince his words after his side's humbling by Barnsley.
The blunt manager said: "That was appalling. It was the worst display by a Blackpool team since I came here almost three years ago.
"There was no spark, nothing. I hope the players have learned a lesson from this. Okay, we missed Martin Bullock but that is no excuse. This was poor." Blackpool had beaten Barnsley at Oakwell earlier in the season in the Carling Cup but almost from the start it was apparent there was to be no repeat of the comfortable victory.
Barnsley, a tall, fit and ruthlessly physical side, dominated everything in the air and easily hustled the home side out of possession in midfield.
It was from a disrupted Blackpool midfield pass that the Tykes created the opening for their 29th minute first goal.
After a challenge by Chris Lumsdon, Dean Gorre ran clear and put in a 20-yard pile driver which home keeper Lee Jones did well to save.
However, the ball ran loose for Rory Fallon and despite strong appeals that he gained vital control with his hand he managed to follow up Gorre's shot and stick the ball firmly past Jones.
Jones proved to be the Seasiders' man-of-the-match with four or five excellent saves as Barnsley came forward in numbers.
At the other end, Sasa Ilic was reduced to the role of interested spectator in the Tykes goal. He hadn't a save to make until the 80th minute when ex-Oakwell colleague Mike Sheron hit a shot on the turn, which he turned for a corner.
Barnsley's second came in the 50th minute and proved the icing on the cake for the hardworking Lumsdon. Barnsley roared out of defence and Gorre crossed to Fallon who nodded down into the path of Lumsd0n who crashed a glorious 20-yard rising drive into the back of the net.
From then on Barnsley were content to rest on their laurels comfortably defending against Blackpool's out of touch attack, even when it was augmented by substitute Richard Walker who added his efforts to those of Sheron and Scott Taylor.
Afterwards Barnsley manager Gudjon Thordarson said: "Okay. We are top of the league I think, but for how long I am not sure.
"We have had a good start and I am as surprised by it as perhaps others. But we have a good spirit. We think about each match and the opposition carefully and today the homework paid dividends.
"It was a hard game, believe me, and we reduced Blackpool to panic stations in the end."