McDonald refuses to throw in the towel
BLACKPOOL manager Neil McDonald insisted his side’s draw against Bury was a point gained in the battle to avoid relegation, despite throwing away the lead at Bloomfield Road.
Danny Mayor equalised for Bury just two minutes after Danny Philliskirk put Blackpool ahead from the spot.
It is now eight games without a clean sheet for Blackpool who haven’t won in five at home.
But McDonald believes the point was a positive result ahead of a crunch clash against fellowstrugglers Doncaster on Monday.
“It’s a point gained without a shadow of a doubt,” McDonald said.
“Every point that we get is a point gained. We’re disappointed that we took the lead and couldn’t hold on.
“It was frustrating but we’ve come away with something.We’ve played reasonably well the last few home games and not got anything.
“We must feel good about ourselves that we’ve taken four points from pressure games. We’ve got to put in a performance at Doncaster like we did against Crewe and be just as clinical.
“This season was never going to be easy.You come into a club that has been relegated and we had five or six players and we’ve tried to build.
“We’ve had good runs and bad runs but we’re not giving in.”
Blackpool forced a good save from Chris Neal in the 12th minute when he pushed away Mark Cullen’s cross which was creeping inside the far post.
The Seasiders’ best first-half chance fell to Philliskirk on the halfhour mark, but his strike from 12 yards was blocked.
Blackpool went ahead from the spot after 74 minutes. Cian Bolger upended Jim McAlister in the area and Philliskirk stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way.
But Bury hit back just two minutes later when John O’Sullivan’s cross from the left found Mayor who slotted home from 12 yards.
And Shakers boss David Flitcroft praised the character of his side to fight back after conceding.
“I’m delighted with that point, certainly after going one nil down to the penalty,” Flitcroft said.
“There was only one team who wanted to win it first half, we really set about them.
“When their goal went in I think it was Bolger who took it out the back of the net, sprinted and put the ball back on the spot.
“You could see that we wanted to go again and Danny’s goal was fantastic. So I’m delighted with the character and the resolve shown, especially after the away run we’ve been on.
“To avoid coming away with nothing is all credit to the players.”