Bowyer baffled as Blackpool are denied precious penalty

Jon Nolan’s second-half strike was enough for second-placed Shrewsbury Town to beat Blackpool 1-0 at New Measow.

Just 90 seconds before Nolan’s strike, Blackpool had penalty appeals waved away by referee Andy Woolmer after Kelvin Mellor appeared to be brought down in the Shrewsbury box.

Speaking after the full-time whistle, Bowyer was fuming over the referee’s call.

“The penalty call is obviously the big talking point,” he said.

“We’ve just seen it back and it’s a penalty all day long, it’s as simple as that. The linesman hasn’t helped him at all.

“Their lad has told Kelvin it’s a penalty as well.

“They’ve had one shot on target all day long, one shot.

“We’ve not dealt with it well enough to be fair and it’s a poor, soft goal from us.

“At the other end we’ve not really worked the goalkeeper enough but we’ve had a couple of headers.

“We’ve had three or four good opportunities on the counter, first and second half, but we’ve not been clinical enough again.

“Not to be coming away with a point minimum is extremely disappointing.”

When asked if he had spoken to the referee following the final whistle, the Seasiders boss replied: “No. I’ve seen it on the video but unfortunately refereeing standards don’t seem to be

“I don’t think they realise the importance of their jobs sometimes.

“But more worryingly for me is the manner of their goal. It’s not good enough.

“I thought we set up quite well on the counter in the first half and had a couple of great chances.

“Second half we came out well and Nathan Delfouneso had a chance but doesn’t hit the target from a wider position.

“Big Armand has had a coupe of headers as well.

“So we’ve huffed and puffed in front of goal but they’ve won it without having too many clear-cut chances, if any.”

The Seasiders were given a boost ahead of kick-off with the news that Curtis Tilt was fit enough to start.

Just 15 minutes in it appeared the defender might be forced off with a knock but he managed to soldier on and lasted the full 90 minutes.

“He just got a kick on the calf but it was great to have him back,” Bowyer said.

“Him and Clark looked very assured.

“We looked solid at the back and like I’ve said before, it was just one shot on target all game. So it was very disappointing.”