Sponsored by
Parkes delighted with derby day win
TONY Parkes welcomed his side's 1-0 victory over bitter rivals Preston but admitted his team are not yet safe from relegation.
Charlie Adam's first-half winner delighted over 5,000 Blackpool fans and put a huge dent in bitter rivals Preston's Coca-Cola Championship play-off bid.
The on-loan Rangers midfielder collected possession 22 yards from goal and was given the time and space to drill a low left-footed shot in off a post.
The result took Blackpool's points tally to 50 but Parkes admits he is still worried about the grim prospect of sliding into League One.
"We're not safe - nowhere near," Parkes said.
Click the play button above to hear the thoughts of Tony Parkes.
"There are 15 points for other clubs to play for and until it's mathematically certain we can't be shutting down.
"Yes, it's three big points which have got us closer to what we need but we're not there yet."
Adam, 23, joined the Seasiders in February on loan until the end of the season and his goal prevented Preston recording a famous league double.
Not since the 1960/61 season have North End beaten Blackpool home and away in league combat but their 3-1 success at Bloomfield Road in November had raised the prospect of finally repeating that feat.
But with Adam biting into tackles in the middle of the park, and a fine defensive display limiting Preston to half-chances, Blackpool fully merited all three points.
"Our fans have something to rejoice about," added Parkes.
"We haven't been very good at home but hopefully this will make up for it.
"Charlie Adam had a good game and we were very strong in the middle of the park with Charlie and Keith Southern."
The result represented a large stride towards safety for the Seasiders but has done no favours for Preston, whose play-off hopes are fading fast.
North End carved out few genuine goalscoring opportunities and the disappointment etched across manager Alan Irvine's face said everything.
The Deepdale boss vowed not to give up on the race for a coveted play-off berth.
Don't miss our special late edition of The Gazette, featuring a match report amd pictures, out NOW.
"We will keep going while we still have a chance of finishing in the play-offs," said Irvine.
"We have worked very hard this season to be in this position.
"We are now obviously relying on other people slipping up but I'm certainly not giving up, that's for sure."
Irvine admitted his side lacked quality and made poor decisions.
"We made many, many poor decisions," he said.
"Now we have to show character to come back from this."
>> Adam's winner sends Pool fans wild.
>> Arrests after Pne v Pool derby
Read Monday's Gazette for more from Tony Parkes and to hear the thoughts of scoring hero Charlie Adam.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Blackpool
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
