Neil Critchley remaining cautious despite Blackpool's much-needed win at Burton Albion courtesy of Jerry Yates' double

Neil Critchley was delighted with Blackpool’s much-needed win at Burton Albion today - but believes his side have played a lot better this season and lost.

Jerry Yates was at the double, scoring his first goals for the club, to hand the Seasiders a crucial 2-1 victory at the Pirelli Stadium.

The summer signing handed Pool a first-half lead, firing home after latching onto Sullay Kaikai’s clever through-ball.

The Seasiders were pegged back midway through the second-half when debutant Daniel Gretarsson was unfortunate to turn home Charles Vernam’s cross into his own goal.

But thankfully Yates had the last laugh, converting a penalty to hand Blackpool their first away win in 410 days.

“I’m delighted with the three points, but I believe we’ve played a lot better than that this season and come away with nothing,” Critchley told The Gazette.

“Particularly with the ball in possession, I thought we were wasteful. But the spirit and the effort of the players is first class and they deserve that feeling in the dressing room after the game because of what they put into other games.

“We’ll certainly take it.”

Yates’ goals, his first in 12 appearances, gave the striker a shot of confidence, the 23-year-old also going close when he hit the foot of the post.

“I’m absolutely delighted for Jerry because he’s such an infectious personality,” Critchley added.

“He brings great energy to the team and the training ground every day. I love him, the staff love him and the players love him and I think you could see that when he scored, everyone was made up for him.

“It was a big moment for him, he will grow in confidence off the back of that and he was probably unfortunate with the one that came off the post in the first-half which was a pivotal moment. It would have put us 2-0 up and he would have walked away with the match ball.

“I’m delighted for him to get off the mark.”

There was a familiar feeling for the Seasiders when Burton levelled with a goal out of nothing, especially as it came just seconds after Pool ought to have been awarded a corner.

“I thought it was a clear corner, he kicked it against him. The lad slid in, went to ground and it went out,” Critchley added.

“I thought there was another one in the first-half when Daniel Gretarsson got a blatant push on the byline, it was a clear foul, but he gave a corner to Burton when it was right in front of him.

“It was two basic errors, one of which led to their goal so I was very frustrated with that because decisions and moments like that have gone against us this season and you can’t help but feel hard done-by.

“But the lads rolled up their sleeves and got what they deserved in the end.”