Bowyer hails Blackpool's stunning win amid off-field chaos

The future of the club was thrown into further uncertainty last night when Sam Oyston left his role as chief executive, the announcement coming less than an hour before kick-off at the DW Stadium.

But the Seasiders put it all to one side to pick up their best result of the season, a superb 2-0 win against title favourites Wigan which lifted Pool four points clear of the drop zone.

Manager Bowyer said: “We’ve been through a lot the last 10 or 11 games, both on the pitch and then there’s a hell of a lot that’s happened off the pitch.

“But the players haven’t once used what’s happening off the pitch as an excuse.

“So they deserve an enormous amount of credit for that.

“They’ve remained focused, they’ve played well even when we haven’t won games, we’ve stuck at it and we’ve got our rewards.

“What we’ve gone through has been a massive experience for the players as individuals and as a team – for the staff as well.”

Pool got off to a dream start when Armand Gnanduillet diverted Kelvin Mellor’s goal-bound effort into the bottom corner to give them a third-minute lead.

Mellor then doubled their lead shortly before half-time with a close-range effort.

Blackpool had more than merited their lead and they held on to it superbly, picking up a vital three points that lifts them above Fleetwood to 17th in the table.

Bowyer added: “The lads were outstanding, absolutely outstanding, and they had a terrific backing.

“It’s a cold Tuesday night but the away support was brilliant for us and we gave them something to cheer about.

“We got off to a wonderful start but we knew what we were going to be in for – a tough night against a quality team.

“But our organisation, our game plan, the effort from the players, the discipline and the desire were all first-class.

“The players deserve all the credit. We can only advise them how to set up but they’ve got to go and carry it out. They certainly did that.

“It’s obvious, isn’t it? Get an early goal, third or fourth minute or whatever it was, then to go and get a second one was great.

“We always looked threatening when we put the ball in the box.

“It gave us something to hold on to and to come here and keep a clean sheet is an unbelievable effort.”

In his post-match interview, Bowyer revealed goalkeeping coach Dave Timmins is set to leave the club to take on a manager’s role in Sweden.

Third-choice goalkeeper Ben Williams will take on the job until the end of the season.

The club’s brief statement about Sam Oyston’s exit reads: Blackpool Football Club can confirm that Sam Oyston will no longer hold the position of Chief Executive.

“The news follows an internal restructure in recent weeks, which has resulted in changes at board level.”