Blackpool exited the EFL Trophy following a 4-2 defeat to Harrogate Town at the Exercise Stadium.

Ian Evatt states Blackpool’s start to their 4-2 defeat to Harrogate Town was ‘unacceptable’ but believes they deserved more from their second half display as they exited the EFL Trophy.

The Sulphurites raced to a 3-0 lead inside 17 minutes at the Exercise Stadium, with Reece Smith, Anthony O’Connor and Jack Muldoon all finding the back of the net.

Emil Hansson was able to register a goal for the Seasiders ahead of the break, before Ashley Fletcher closed the gap further in the second half.

Both finishes proved to be consolations, as Muldoon secured the home side’s progression with his second of the night in the closing stages, as they were able to put their league issues to the back of their minds; unlike the League One strugglers.

Reflecting on the loss, Evatt said: “The first 15 minutes were completely unacceptable. We didn’t start the game at all well. We got punished every time they went forward, and they scored two very good goals, but we can’t afford to start games like that - we know what.

“Whether it was a hangover from feeling sorry for ourselves on Saturday, I don’t know, it felt that way. It’s not acceptable. We know that, the players know that.

“The second half was much more like it. The reaction we got from the players was miles better - when we are positive and we stick to the framework of what we’re trying to do, and we take risks at the right times, then we’re a hard team to stop.

“We probably should’ve won the game in the second half with the amount we’ve created. If they can give me that consistently then we’re going to be okay. I actually enjoyed the second half, I didn’t enjoy the result at the end of it, but I enjoyed watching my teams because they did the right things.

“Look, we’re suffering at the moment, there’s no two ways about it. This is an industry that is extremely difficult and challenging at times. There’s extreme highs and extreme lows, and at the minute we’re in a low period, but that’s where we need togetherness and need the fans to stay with us - who I thought was brilliant tonight.

“When the chips are down that’s when we need them the most, and we need the players to keep the faith and keep positive. When they are good, like they were in the second half, they are a hard team to stop.

“For now, hard work will put us where good luck will find us.

“The amount we created in the second half was huge, and that’s a frustration because we created so much and should’ve scored more. They had one shot in the second half, the goal. It was dominance, attack V defence, and that was a glimpse of what I want us to evolve into going forwards.

“We can’t afford to start games like that and give teams leg ups. We’ve got to put it all together, but it’s five weeks in and this is a completely new and different way of playing. The players have given us everything and we need to keep them positive.

“Me criticising them all of the time or the supporters booing isn’t going to help anyone. We need togetherness, and fight tooth and nail to get this club out of the trouble we’re in.

“If I can see that second half replicated more often, I’ll be a lot happier and we’ll start to get results a lot more consistently.”

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