It’s push and Pool

NEIL CRITCHLEY says Blackpool will prove themselves a worthy Championship side – after a remarkable turnaround.

The Tangerines climbed out of the bottom three with a second win in eight days, but their inspired comeback saw Boro booed off.

Following their victory over promotion favourites Fulham, they are growing in confidence and muscular play from Marvin Ekpiteta (above) and a Grant Hall own goal cancelled out Marcus Tavernier’s disputed opener.

Boss Critchley said: “Our aim is to be in this division. We can take heart from beating Fulham and Boro and our displays all season have merited more.

“We are not struggling, our performances show that. If we show spirit and togetherness we have the quality to be competitive in this division.”

Tavernier controversially lashed Boro in front after eight minutes. Lee Peltier flicked on to Dael Fry who laid across goal for his team-mate to score.

Blackpool had a case to claim Fry was offside when Peltier touched the ball and Critchley added: “Their goal was offside and Neil Warnock will have some complaints about the ref, too.”

Ekpiteta collected Richard Keogh’s dink into the box and turned Fry to equalise in the 62nd minute (above).

Boro, fuming about the free-kick which led to the goal, only had themselves to blame for Blackpool’s winner, Hall turning Luke Garbutt’s corner into his own net.

Warnock said: “I thought we should have won it.”

MIDDLESBROUGH: Lumley 5; Dijksteel 6 (Jones 55, 5), Hall 5, Fry 5, Peltier 7; Howson 6 (Ikpeazu 87), Lea Siliki 6 (Payero 79); Tavernier 7, Crooks 6, Hernandez 7; Sporar 6.

Unused Subs: Daniels, Olusanya, Watmore, Bamba.

BLACKPOOL: Maxwell 7; Sterling 6, Ekpiteta 7, Keogh 7, Garbutt 7; Bowler 7 (Gabriel 90), Dougall 7, Wintle 6, Anderson 6; John-jules 6 (Madine 71), Lavery 6 (Yates 86).

Unused Subs: Grimshaw, Connolly, Husband, Carey.

MAN OF MATCH: Josh Bowler. All over the pitch, supporting the attack well and doing defensive duties.

REFEREE: David Webb 6.