Blackpool played Stoke off the park says keeper Chris Maxwell

Blackpool might have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup but Chris Maxwell prefers to focus on the Seasiders’ “excellent” performance against Stoke City.

The Seasiders were the better side in Saturday’s first-round tie at the bet365 Stadium and created the better opportunities.

But Neil Critchley’s men were held to a goalless draw against the Championship Potters, who edged the penalty shootout 5-4 in sudden death.

While Maxwell was disappointed to begin Pool’s competitive season with a defeat, the goalkeeper believes the result shouldn’t take away from how well the Seasiders performed.

“It’s a difficult one to take,” Maxwell conceded. “We’ve performed very well in the game. In terms of how well regimented we were, I think at times they struggled to deal with us.

“It was just that final ball and putting the ball in the back of the net that we didn’t do.

“But don’t take that away as a loss. We’ve performed excellently to a very experienced Stoke team full of internationals. In my opinion we played them off the park. We were excellent.”

The 30-year-old, who wore the captain’s armband on Saturday, added: “You could see our hunger and the desire in a controlled manner.

“We had a few chances and it was maybe that little bit of rustiness in front of goal to put them to bed...

“But nobody will be watching that game thinking it’s a loss. It’s an excellent, excellent performance. Maybe in hindsight it’s a good result.”

While a host of presentable opportunities went to waste for Blackpool, Stoke also had their chances as you would expect.

But the Seasiders performed well defensively and Maxwell had only a couple of key saves to make to ensure his clean sheet.

He said: “Stoke are a group of internationals, a Championship side full of experienced players. But in terms of how forward we are in our pressing and our style, it’s pleasing to come away with a clean sheet.

“We just need to nick it at the other end now.”

The game was eventually decided by spot-kicks, which went Stoke’s way after Ollie Turton, Oliver Sarkic and Keshi Anderson all missed from 12 yards.

Maxwell performed heroics, making two saves to take the shootout to sudden death at 3-3.

“It’s difficult as a keeper – you’re not meant to save them,” he said.

“To save two penalties, I’m pleased with that – but me being a perfectionist I want to save them all.

“All the pressure is on the player to score, but there’s the old cliche of it being a lottery and unfortunately we were on the wrong side of it.”