Bowyer: Blackpool defeat highlighted the haves and have-nots

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The Seasiders put in a spirited display at Ewood Park on Saturday but quality ultimately told, as the leaders eased to a 3-0 win.

On-loan Newcastle United striker Adam Armstrong claimed a brace after Bradley Dack, a £750,000 signing from Gillingham, had opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time.

The result was closer than the result suggests but Bowyer admits it was always going to be an uphill challenge taking on a side packed full of quality.

“In any game the first goal is massive,” Bowyer said.

“But we played some good stuff and should have taken the lead when Nathan Delfouneso has that opportunity early on. He’s got to score.

“You see the difference when they have a chance.

“You know how much they paid for Dack and how much they paid to get Armstrong until the end of the season, well we can’t pay those fees.

“That’s the quality you yearn for but I’m proud of the way the players have gone about it.

“It was like the penknife of ours against the heavy artillery of Tony Mowbray’s.

“But fair play to him, he’s spent it well because just take one look at their goalscorers; that’s the difference in the game.”

While having no complaints with the result, Bowyer was left frustrated with some of the decisions from referee Lee Probert.

With the score deadlocked, Blackpool were denied a penalty when Rovers striker Danny Graham appeared to handle inside the box.

Curtis Tilt was then penalised for a soft free-kick in first-half stoppage time, allowing Charlie Mulgrew the opportunity to swing in a superb set piece that was headed home by the dangerous Dack.

After Armstrong had doubled Rovers’ lead, Tilt thought he had pulled one back for Pool after he had headed towards goal - claiming it had crossed the line - only for the appeals to once again fall on deaf ears.

Armstrong then added a third on the break to wrap up the three points.

Bowyer added: “I don’t know what we have to do to get a penalty this year.

“I’ve just watched the incident back and the lads arm ends up waist high when he handballs it.

“The referee tells me his arm is down by his side. But I’ve just seen it back and it was a clear handball.

“Then is it a foul between Danny Graham and Curtis Tilt for the free kick where they score?

“Don’t get me wrong, we have to defend the free kick better, it’s as simple as that once he’s given us.

“But that’s two major decisions that have had a massive impact on the game which he’s done nothing about.

“I’ve been told all season it’ll change for us but we’ve heard that for 35 games now. We’ve only had one penalty all season.”