Midas touch of Blackpool matchwinner Cullen

The striker’s second-half winner ensured a record-breaking fifth play-off final win for the club from eight attempts.

It caps off a fine recent run of form from the 25-year-old, who has netted 10 times in his last 15 outings.

Not only that, he’s scored four times and produced three assists during Pool’s three play-off ties.

Despite his personal accolades, Cullen was quick to praise his team-mates for the effort they’ve put in this season.

“It’s absolutely brilliant to get the winning goal,” he said. “It doesn’t get much better on a personal level.

“We’ve worked so hard this season but for me to get the winner was absolutely brilliant.”

Cullen produced a vital flick to play in Brad Potts for his third-minute opener, but it was his winner that will live long in the memory of the 5,000 or so Blackpool fans who were at Wembley.

The striker somehow managed to get the smallest of touches on Potts’ cross to send the ball trickling over the goalline, much to the jubilation of the Pool fans at the opposite end of the ground.

Cullen also praised the job done by manager Gary Bowyer, who he believes deserves an enormous amount of credit for what he’s done to turn the club around.

He added: “He’s been brilliant this season.

“He came in and steadied the ship and instilled the belief in us from day one that we can get promotion.”

It’s been a mixed season for the forward, who has struggled at times to break into the first team.

But he’s finished the season in the best fashion possible by firing the Seasiders back to League One.

There was a big blow for Blackpool came when skipper Tom Aldred was forced off the field through injury after just 30 minutes of play.

But Cullen believes the squad was more than capable dealing with the early change.

“It was a massive blow (to lose Aldred), but we’ve got a great squad of lads here,” he said.

“We had to change formation but ultimately it worked for us.”

At times the Seasiders found themselves under pressure from the Grecians, but Blackpool stayed strong and weathered the Exeter attacks.

And Cullen believes the result was down to that hard work from the team.

“There were times when we were under the cosh, but we’ve in and done well,” Cullen said.

“The lads have done brilliantly and we fully deserved the win.”

While Cullen can reflect on a great day for Blackpool, the forward will no doubt hope to continue his good form into League One next season.