BLACKPOOL boss Neil Critchley couldn’t hide his delight after the Seasiders won a dramatic penalty shoot-out against holders Bolton to reach the Bristol Street Motors Trophy semi-finals on Tuesday night.
Both sides had chances to win in the 90 minutes, but, ultimately, the tie had to be decided by spot-kicks.
Blackpool keeper Richard O’Donnell and his Bolton counterpart Jole Coleman both saved twice as the shoot-out went to sudden death.
In the end, Matt Pennington gave the Seasiders a 5-4 lead before Zac Ashworth missed for the visiting Trotters to settle it.
“The atmosphere was incredible,” Critchley told the club website. “It was five or six thousand but it felt like 50 or 60,000!
“I felt if anyone deserved to win in the 90 minutes, we edged it. To win on penalties and go through in front of the North Stand like that, it makes it a special night for us.”
The other team to make it through from the northern section of the draw was Bradford, who overcame Doncaster 1-0.
This story is from the February 04, 2024 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 04, 2024 edition of The Football League Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
SEASIDERS' EVANS LEADS BY EXAMPLE
BLACKPOOL assistant coach Steve Agnew was delighted with his team’s performance as they confidently saw off the threat of Burton Albion at Bloomfield Road.
CHRIS' GUTSY BLUE BATTLE BACK TO NAB THE TOP SPOT
CHRIS Davies conceded his Birmingham City side were not up to their usual quality despite beating Peterborough United in a thrilling encounter.
WELLENS SLAMS ORIENT SUBS
LEYTON Orient boss Richie Wellens bizarrely criticised his substitutes’ efforts after his side were held at home by leaders Wrexham.
HARRIS HAILS HIS DOMINANT LIONS
North End outfought at The Den
ROONEY'S JOY AFTER ARGYLE HIT HATTERS...
WAYNE Rooney could not contain his delight after his Plymouth side breezed past Luton on Friday night.
RAMS LEFT FUMING OVER SAINZ STRIKES
NORWICH manager Johannes Hoff Thorup supported calls for the introduction of VAR in the Championship – even though he benefited from two major refereeing errors in his team’s win at Derby.
CARRICK'S CHUFFED WITH STARLET DOAK
MICHAEL Carrick thinks exciting winger Ben Doak has shown how determined he is to develop at Middlesbrough after helping to secure victory over Stoke City at the Riverside.
'Mature' Leeds are class above Cov
DANIEL Farke praised the “maturity” of his Leeds United side after they thumped early-season strugglers Coventry City with a dominant display at Elland Road.
SKIPPER TRAVIS IS TOPS FOR EUSTACE...
DELIGHTED Blackburn boss John Eustace lauded ‘inspirational’ captain Lewis Travis after his goal set them on their way to victory over 10man QPR.
BLADES BLUNTED BY PEPPY POMPEY
CHRIS Wilder heaped praise onto winless Portsmouth after they held his Sheffield United side to a goalless draw at Fratton Park.
