Bowyer: We have to be more clinical...

BLACKPOOL manager Gary Bowyer bemoaned a lack of cutting edge from his side as they were held by Colchester – who finished the game with ten men.

Jamille Matt gave Blackpool an early lead but they were pegged back by Kurtis Guthrie’s equaliser six minutes later.

It’s now five league games without a win for the Seasiders, whose play-off bid appears to be stalling, but Bowyer remained upbeat.

“I felt like we dominated the game; there’s lots to take away and be positive about,” Bowyer said.

“We just haven’t been clinical enough. In terms of possession and chances created, there’s a lot to build on.

“Just a bit more composure and quality. I’m happier that we’re creating those chances. It was a sloppy goal to concede – to give that goal away from a set piece, we weren’t happy with that.

“The play-offs are still a possibility, automatic promotion is still a possibility. There’s lots there for us to build on. With the efforts that the players have put in, there’s a lot still to play for.”

The Seasiders struck after 12 minutes. Nathan Delfouneso jinked past his man and delivered a pinpoint chip into the area, where Matt turned home from three yards.

Colchester equalised after 18 minutes as Guthrie prodded in from close-range, after a goalmouth scramble following a corner.

Somehow, Colchester failed to retake the lead after 45 minutes. Sam Slocombe produced a brilliant save from George Elokobi’s closerange effort, before Guthrie headed against the bar from two yards.

Blackpool should have clinched the win 15 minutes from time, as Tom Aldred was found unmarked from a corner, but he headed wide from eight yards.

In injurytime, Sean Murray was shown a straight red for a bad tackle on Jim McAlister.

“The way the game has panned out, to finish with fewer men and come away with the draw, it’s a great point for us,” Colchester manager John McGreal said.

“We’ve come away and had some really good opportunities to score. We’ve had lots of defending to do as well, it’s a tough place to come and win a game of football.

“I think for what’s gone on, we’re happy with the point.

“Credit to the boys. To go a goal down – which was a poor goal to concede – we came back really strong.

“I think overall, for all they had, we actually had the better opportunities to score.”