Bowyer: What a way to win the derby

MATCH REPORT: Blackpool 2-1 Fleetwood Town

After something of a non-event in the first half, the game sprung into action on 75 minutes when Wes Burns handed Fleetwood the lead.

But Viv Solomon-Otabor levelled on 88 minutes before Armand Gnanduillet came off the bench to win it at the death in the fourth and final minute of stoppage time.

“Full credit to the players - they were awesome second half," Bowyer said at full time.

“But we were nowhere near it first half. Everything we had done well in our previous two games just seemed to have disappeared in that first 45 minutes.

“I thought the first half was a non-event, it was a poor game first half.

“But second half we demanded a response and we got a response. We certainly started the half a lot, lot better and really pushed on.

“I thought we were good second half bar the goal and Joe Lumley losing his bearings.

“We just spoke at half time about going out and giving your best. It’s a local derby so go and give the supporters something to shout about.

“I thought we came out on the front foot and within two minutes we’ve put two great balls in and had a couple of chances, which was more than we had done in the first half.

“But to win the game in the way we did was fantastic. We kept at it and stuck at it.”

Gnanduillet was harshly dropped to the bench for today's game having scored in Blackpool's 3-0 win against Northampton Town on Tuesday.

But the Frenchman came off the bench with under 10 minutes to go to leave a lasting impact on the game.

“I’m absolutely delighted for big Armand (Gnanduillet). Leaving him out was not easy," Bowyer admitted.

“It was one of the hardest decisions because he produced one of his best games for us on Tuesday.

“I spoke to him beforehand and told him to make sure he was mentally right to go on if needed - and what a way to win the game.”