'They're horrible runs to pick up': Matty Virtue on his goal in Blackpool's pre-season friendly defeat to Blackburn Rovers

The 23-year-old pulled a goal back for the Seasiders in their 3-1 defeat with a powerful finish after being found in space by Michael Nottingham.

It was almost a carbon copy of his goal against Barrow and the former Liverpool midfielder, who has a knack for getting amongst the goals, suggests that shouldn’t come as a surprise.

“I actually got down the other side of the box just before but my cross was too close to the keeper and he’s picked it up,” he explained.

“But as I’m working my way back across the pitch, Notts has pressed down really well and won it back and I’ve made a run in behind.

“He’s seen me and found me and I’ve got in one-on-one with the keeper and I put my laces through it.

“It was similar to the one I scored against Barrow. I think I’m quite good at those runs, finding space in the channels. They’re horrible runs to pick up.

“I know as a midfielder that if someone is doing that to me then you hate them.

“The lads have found me on both occasions to be fair. Teddy (Howe) managed it against Barrow and this time it was Notts who slipped me in.”

Neil Critchley’s much-changed side were well-beaten by their Championship opponents as they lost for the first time in pre-season.

Despite the defeat, Virtue insists there are still plenty of positives to take as the Seasiders now turn their attention to Saturday’s Carabao Cup first round tie against Stoke City.

“I think all minutes in pre-season are useful, but we learned a lot from this game - especially in the first half,” he added.

“They’re a good team but we were a little out of shape and got a few things wrong a few times, but it’s all learning and it’s what we’re here to do. The manager will help us with that.

“At half time we changed how we were pressing and we got a much better shape, despite getting a bit deep.

“In the first half we had a few players in the wrong positions and it hurt the whole team as we were doing a lot of running, which made the game end-to-end.

“They cut us open a bit too much which is something we haven’t really seen in this pre-season because we’ve normally been really compact.

“But games like this are going to happen and we’re going to have to learn quickly by working on things on the training ground.

“But as the season goes on we’re going to get better and better at what we’re trying to do and it will show.”