Blackpool boss feels the fury

Dean Lyness was floored and given a fat lip after a deflected looping cross into the six-yard box was bundled into the back of the net by defender Mark Connolly.

The controversial second-half goal split the two teams at Broadfield Stadium on Saturday in what was an evenly matched affair.

When asked for his view on the goal at the final whistle, Bowyer was clearly incensed the referee failed to give a free kick.

“Dean’s got a bit of a fat lip,” he said.

“We keep talking about referees but it’s never going to change.

“It wasn’t really a goal conceded from a set play when there’s GBH on your goalie.”

Both sides had a number of clear opportunities to take the lead in the opening period, but it was the disputed goal that split the two teams.

Danny Philliskirk was the main culprit, missing a gilt-edged header from a teasing Jack Payne cross before skewing a left-footed shot inches wide of the post with the final action of the first half.

Bowyer added: “We played well and we put the ball in some dangerous areas.

“Armand (Gnanduillet) should have scored with his header as well as Danny (Philliskirk) in the first half.

“But we’ve got to be accountable and take responsibility.

“It’s the same old story at the moment but it’s something we’ve got to resolve very quickly.

“We didn’t create the same sort of chances in the second half and that’s the frustrating part from our end.”

The manager replaced Kyle Vassell, who seemed to be having some joy linking up with Gnanduillet, with Jamille Matt who failed to have an impact as Pool pushed for an equaliser.

Bright Osayi-Samuel was also brought into the action to replace Philliskirk.

“We changed a few things to get those opportunities with Jamille coming on, but it didn’t happen for us,” Bowyer said.

“We’re majorly disappointed not to be taking something from the game.

“We felt Bright’s pace might open them up, he had a good few runs and had a shout for a penalty but it just wasn’t to be.

“We didn’t get Jack (Payne) on the ball enough and we probably went a bit too long ball.

“They’re a good team. People might come here thinking it might just be Crawley, but I have 100 per cent respect for their manager and how they play but I thought we restricted them.

“That’s credit to our organisation and game plan. I can’t really remember them carving us open.”