Boss told me I'd score says Blackpool's Longstaff

Don’t miss the latest football news and gossip from leagues in England, Scotland and Europe with footballwire.co.ukThe midfielder handed the Seasiders the lead just before the hour mark on Saturday with a superb volley from 25 yards, his seventh goal of the season.

It should have sealed a vital three points for Gary Bowyer’s men and eased their relegation fears.

But a catalogue of defensive errors allowed Bury’s George Miller to nip in and equalise seven minutes from time.

It means Blackpool, who have won just two of their last 17 League One games, are now just two points above the drop zone.

Longstaff said: “The gaffer backed me to score. He said after the game, ‘I told you, I told you’.

“It got headed out and I was in two minds whether to hit it or bring it down. Luckily I hit it and it’s gone straight in.

“I had one in training on Friday and it hit Vass (Kyle Vassell) right in the chest, so I thought I’ll try it again and hope it goes in, and luckily it did.

“It probably should have been the goal that won us the game.

“The fans were great again, especially at times when we were up against it because they got behind us and cheered us on.

“They were very good and it’s great to score in front of them. It’s a feeling you can’t really explain when it does go in.

“So I am very pleased but ultimately we probably should have been winning the game when we take the lead like we did.

“I think we can all do a bit better to stop their goal.

“It comes from another long ball that we really have to deal with.”

Longstaff, on loan until the end of the season from Newcastle United, performed well on what was a dire Gigg Lane pitch.

The 20-year-old admitted it was a tricky afternoon.

“It was tough playing on their pitch,” he added.

“But a game of football is a game of football at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter about the pitch.

“It doesn’t really help especially with the way we want to play, but I thought we dealt with it well.

“When you look at our team it’s a very technical team with players like Jay (Spearing), Callum (Cooke), Vass and everyone else.

“We had to play the conditions but also remember what we’re good at as well. We did create some chances by playing some good football and we did get in behind.

“But it was just about mixing it up because the pitch dictates that. But we did pretty well to adapt and we should have won the game, which says it all.”