'We're thankful we're not one of the FA Cup shocks': Neil Critchley on Blackpool's first round win against Eastbourne Borough

The Seasiders eased into the second round of the competition thanks to a 3-0 win against National League South side Eastbourne Borough.

They were made to work hard for their win, with their first goal of the game not arriving until the 58th minute.

But Gary Madine’s brace and Jerry Yates’ stoppage-time strike helped put the Seasiders’ name into the hat for Monday night’s second round draw.

“It’s always special the FA Cup first round and we knew it would be difficult coming here,” Critchley said.

“Eastbourne made it difficult for us until we managed to get the first goal.

“That settled us down but we missed a couple of chances to make it two, which annoyed me a little bit because we needed to finish the game there and then.

“We finally got the second goal but the final 15 to 20 minutes was our worst period of the game. We’ve got to be more professional than that and we allowed Eastbourne back into the game ourselves by making silly mistakes and giving needless free-kicks away. We invited pressure we shouldn’t have done.

“We got the third goal near the end so I should be happy and I will be happy when we’re driving home because we’re into the hat for the next round.”

Things could have been a lot more comfortable had Blackpool been more clinical in front of goal, especially early on when Sullay Kaikai hit the post twice and Yates was denied after being sent through on goal.

“I think we hit the post in the first minute and we hit the post again shortly after, Jerry also has a good chance as well in the first-half,” Pool’s head coach added.

“It might have been the second chance when Sullay hit the post, they then go down the other end and could have scored, but Chris Maxwell makes a really important save.

“With the amount of shocks there’s been over the weekend, we’re thankful we’re not one of them.”