'We've proven we can compete': Kevin Stewart on Blackpool's big three points against Portsmouth

Jerry Yates scored the only goal of the game at Fratton Park on Saturday as the Seasiders made it four wins from their last five matches.

In doing so, Neil Critchley’s side moved up to 13th place, cutting the gap to the League One play-offs to seven points with two games in hand still to play.

“We know Portsmouth are a really good team, they’re up there and they’re competing at the top,” Stewart told The Gazette.

“So for us to go and beat a team like that away from home is a massive result for us and should give us some confidence in our ability to go and beat anyone in this division.

“Especially with this win coming away from home, this should tell us we can compete with teams right up there.

“We should have known that already anyway because, even before I came in, we’ve beaten a few teams that are up there.

“But maybe it’s another reassurance for us that we can do this.”

Yates took his goal superbly, the striker twisting and turning Pompey defender Sean Raggett before picking out the bottom corner eight minutes from time.

“It was a top finish from Jerry,” Stewart added. “He was on his last legs at the end because he had put in a real shift. I’m surprised he was even able to dig out a really good finish! He was exhausted, but it was a great finish though.

“We felt good late on and we were in the game. We felt quite comfortable throughout the whole game, so we wanted to go on and win it. A point would have been decent, but we felt the three points were up for grabs.

“Defensively we’ve been really good. Other than the clearance off the line, not too much troubled us.

“Considering there were a few changes in the back four, for us to come here and be that organised and get a clean sheet is a credit to the boys.”

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