McDonald gives ref rollicking in victory
BLACKPOOL manager Neil McDonald was delighted with his team’s against-all-odds victory – but blasted referee Kevin Johnson – as his team moved out of the bottom four.
Jack Redshaw headed Blackpool into the lead 11 minutes before halftime, but was sent off two minutes later for a second bookable offence.
Marcus Haber had apparently rescued a late point, only for Tom Aldred’s deflected strike to put Blackpool immediately back ahead. And Brad Inman fired a 90thminute penalty high and wide, much to McDonald’s relief.
“It had everything – the players certainly stood up to be counted and we’ve come out worthy winners,” he said.
“It’s sad when you can’t celebrate with your own fans, and the referee couldn’t wait to get the red card out.
“We must capitalise on this result for the rest of the season and play like we did here – it’s great when you pick up a win away from home, it gives everybody a lift.
“They’re all massive now, and if we show the commitment and desire that we did here, we’ll be fine.”
The game burst into life in the 34th minute as a Jim McAlister header bounced down off the crossbar onto the line, with Redshaw nodding home.
The striker received a harsh booking for celebrating with his supporters and, in an incredible two-minute spell, subsequently received a second yellow for catching David Fox with a high boot.
In the 55th minute, Zoumana Bakayogo came agonisingly close to an equaliser, heading a right-wing corner onto the bar, before later firing against the post.
Brad Potts hit the post for Blackpool, before, with seven minutes to go, Haber deftly back-heeled the ball into the net following a mazy right-wing run from Oliver Turton.
The ten men went straight up the other end, the ball bouncing to Aldred inside the area, as his deflected strike looped over Ben Garratt.
Potts tripped substitute Tom Hitchcock with moments left, but Inman blazed high and wide, which left Crewe boss Steve Davis devastated, and his side eight points adrift of safety.
“It’s hugely disappointing,” he said.
“Sometimes you’re expected to win four or five-one just because they’re down to ten men, but it’s about putting it in the net.
“We went missing for their winner, I’m not sure why, whether it was a lack of discipline or positioning, I don’t know.
“The season isn’t over by a long way.
“But losing the game is a big kick in the teeth – the players are inconsolable.”