IT’S LAVERY TO BE HERE

Shayne makes Critchley’s day

BLACKPOOL boss Neil Critchley praised his Championship newcomers’ never-say-die attitude after Shayne Lavery’s last-gasp strike had snatched an opening day point.

Chris Martin’s well-placed 44thminute header from an Andy King cross looked to have put Bristol City on course for their first home win since last January.

But boss Nigel Pearson was kept waiting for his first victory at Ashton Gate when Lavery pounced to net from a low cross by fellow substitute Josh Bowler in the third minute of stoppage time.

The close-range strike sent more than 1,100 Blackpool fans behind the goal into scenes of wild celebration.

And for Critchley it represented a great start for his promoted team. The former Liverpool Under-23s coach said: “From the start of my time in charge, I wanted the team to reflect the people who live in our area. That meant fighting to the last.

“We did that today and after an improved second-half performance we got our reward.

“Bristol got on top of us in the first half and we lacked a bit of confidence, but in the end we were a match for them.

“We are the bookmakers’ favourites to go down, which was no surprise. But I have faith in the players and expect us to be competitive in a very tough league.”

The Robins created most of the clear chances and Pearson, who watched the game from the stands, was understandably disappointed.

“I feel like everyone associated with the club probably feels,” said the ex-Leicester boss.

“It was a game we should have won and to concede so close to the end was very disappointing.

“There was a lot we might have done to prevent the goal but I am not going to spend a lot of time picking the bones out of it.

“The overall performance was good, but it was a reminder of what football can do to you at times.” City lost winger

Callum O’Dowda to injury in the 13th minute but Kasey Palmer proved a capable replacement.

Andreas Weimann, King and Rob Atkinson missed decent first-half chances for the hosts.

Matty James also shot wide from the edge of the penalty area in the second half and the misses came back to bite Pearson’s men.

Before the start tributes were paid to former City player and manager Terry Cooper. The ex-England left-back died last weekend at the age of 77.