"You did Gary Bowyer proud", Terry McPhillips tells Blackpool's cup-tie winners

Pool beat Barnsley 3-1 in the first round of the League Cup at Bloomfield Road.

The Seasiders had to come from behind to secure their passage, after George Moncur had given the Tykes a half-time lead with a wonder-goal.

But McPhillips’ men produced a spirited fightback to claim the victory courtesy of goals from Michael Nottingham, Harry Pritchard and Armand Gnanduillet.

“I thought we were outstanding,” the interim boss said.

“I thought we were alright in the first half as well but were outdone by a wonde- goal.

“ It was a hell of a goal by their lad.

“We’re not getting much luck lately but the response in the second half was superb. We were different class.

“To a man they were outstanding and Gary Bowyer would be really proud of them.”

Nottingham was the man to get Pool back on level terms shortly after the interval, netting his first goal as a Football League player .

He drove home the rebound following Mark Cullen’s close-range miss.

Fellow ex-non-leaguer Pritchard then put Pool in front with a superbly taken finish – also his first goal in a tangerine shirt.

And Gnanduillet rounded off the win in style late on.

McPhillips said of Cullen’s miss, which led to Pool’s equaliser. “I just said to Cully in the hall, ‘How did you miss that?’ I was celebrating.

“He’s yard out but somehow manages to hit the crossbar.

“But Nottingham finished it with a really good strike. We’re delighted for him because it’s his first goal in senior football.

“He is a goalscorer. We’ve been watching him for a couple of years.

“Last year he didn’t score as many but the year before that he scored 11 for Salford. He had plenty of assists too, so he’s a weapon in there.

“I’m delighted for both him and Harry for getting their first goals – that stays with them forever.

“Armand was fantastic as well. He finished last season ever so well.

“He’s a handful and he came off the bench on Saturday and made a statement. He was unplayable here.”

Focus now turns to Blackpool’s league game at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, which could be their first fixture under a new manager.

Bookies’ favourite Richie Wellens was in the stands for the second game running, while Owen Coyle and Andy Preece were also understood to have attended interviews at the club yesterday.

When asked if he expects to remain in charge of the first team at the weekend, McPhillips said: “As far as I know I’m training with the lads on Thursday, so I will keep going.

“I will just wait and see. I will speak to the football club and we will go from there.”