Blackpool claimed a 1-0 victory over Reading in their final game of the season.

Ian Evatt believes Blackpool’s 1-0 victory over Reading was a marker of how far they’ve come in the final month of the season.

A stunning strike from CJ Hamilton secured a final day win from the Seasiders at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, as they finished the campaign 13th in League One.

With their survival mathematically confirmed after results last weekend, Evatt was pleased by the way his side approached the fixture in Berkshire.

“I’m delighted because it was a marker of how far we’ve come on this journey,” he said.

“The hard part was done last week, we maintained our position in League One. We’ve been on a fabulous run of form, and today was about professional pride.

“We wanted to finish the season with a good feeling. We’ve worked so hard to gain this momentum we’ve got as a football club.

“They executed the game plan perfectly. We pressed a little bit deeper but set traps - we knew how we could steal the ball and transition quickly. We deserved the win.

“It was some goal. We had other chances and opportunities, the keeper made several good saves.”

The victory over Reading leaves Blackpool on 60 points at the end of the season, after a campaign that looked set for disaster at one stage.

“I believe in myself, I think I’m a good coach and I’ve got an excellent record,” Evatt added.

“Look, I can do better as well, I’m always looking to improve. I’ve learnt a hell of a lot already since I’ve been here - it’s the first time I’ve picked up a team midseason and the first time I’ve had to find different ways of doing it at times because of the injuries.

“If we split it into three blocks of 11. The first block, we got two points per game which is auto form. The second block was a disaster, with some context. The third block has been auto promotion form. To get two out of the three blocks with two points per game is some effort from the players.

“We’ve got momentum as a football club, there’s a feel-good factor. Everyone’s carrying some excitement through to next season, and we have to fight tooth and nail to keep that.

“We have to learn the lessons from this season and last pre-season - take nothing for granted or entitlement just because we’re a big club. We have to remember the dark times and earn every point.”

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