Bowyer’s horrified with Pool defending

BLACKPOOL manager Gary Bowyer admitted his side weren’t up to scratch as their promotion hopes were dealt a blow with defeat at home to Grimsby.

Sam Jones struck twice after Andrew Boyce’s own goal had cancelled out Danny Collins’ opener.

It’s back-to-back defeats for Blackpool, who remain eighth, and Bowyer is demanding a reaction from his players.

“We praise the players when we feel that we’ve been good, but we can’t come out here and kid ourselves today,” he said.

“We have to hold our hands up and say that we weren’t good enough.

“The goals we conceded were embarrassing goals for us, and we weren’t at the standard that we’ve prided ourselves on all season. It’s the kick up the backside that we needed.

“Results have been kind to us today so we’re still in there and now I’m going to see the character of these players going forward.

“We’ve still got plenty to play for, we still have an opportunity and we need a reaction and a response.”

Bright Osayi-Samuel broke down the left after 13 minutes and his low shot from 12 yards was deflected inches wide of the far post.

But Grimsby took the lead four minutes later, when Danny Andrew delivered a superb ball to the far post where exSunderland defender Collins nodded home.

The Seasiders were level after 42 minutes, in slightly fortuitous circumstances, as Boyce headed Andy Taylor’s cross past his own keeper.

Parity didn’t last long however, as Blackpool failed to deal with a corner in first-half stoppage time and Jones stabbed Grimsby back in front from close range.

Jones grabbed his second after 70 minutes, when he pounced on a defensive lapse from Tom Aldred and raced clear before calmly slotting past Dean Lyness to seal the points for Grimsby.

“It was a really good response today after last week (defeat to Doncaster),” said Grimsby manager Marcus Bignot.

“It’s been a long week but we’ve made it worth it today especially for the travelling fans. They will have a lovely weekend in Blackpool.

“They’ve only lost two games since Christmas, they’re unbeaten in eight. If you look at the stats it’s quite frightening. To come here, where the remit is to go up, and get that result is encouraging for the future.

“It gives us a super start because we want to end the season with some momentum.”