Fan power made the difference, says Blackpool boss

Paul Cook’s Pompey were cheered on by 15,000 typically raucous fans from the very first minute as they ran out 2-0 winners.

Eoin Doyle put the game to bed with Pompey’s second in injury time after Gareth Evans had put them ahead in the first half – but Bowyer believes it was the home crowd that made the difference.

He said: “You saw what a difference having 15,000 people in the stadium makes. When they’re backing you like they were, it makes a massive difference.

“We’re unlucky because I think it’s the first time they’ve not got nervy and not got on their team.

“There’s been a big campaign from the Portsmouth fans to back the team. They’ve done that and you can see the result.

“My advice for them would be to continue to do that until the end of the season because it’s a wonderful football club and they’ve got wonderful staff.

“As you walk in here there are pictures of Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch and David James, so it’s a similar story to Blackpool’s.

“But this club has been in this league for four years now. Look at what we’ve done in the short time we’ve been here and look how close we pushed them.”

The Seasiders were second-best in the first half as Pompey threatened to run amok. The visitors fought back in the second period but failed to find that elusive equaliser.

Bowyer added: “We weren’t quite at it first half but we came out second half and had a right good go.

“We had a shout for a penalty when their lad brought down Kyle Vassell. I’ve watched it back and it looks like there’s contact, but it doesn’t look like those sort of things are going for us right now.

“We put balls into the box and made the goalie drop one or two, but we just haven’t been able to take advantage.

“Brad Potts also has a great chance but there’s a wonderful block.

“You saw the relief at the end when they got their second and that shows just how hard we pushed them.”

The Pool boss also paid tribute to the 216 Blackpool supporters who made the 560-mile round trip to Fratton Park.

He added: “Can I just say a massive thank you and huge respect to our supporters. That’s an outstanding effort from them on the back of Saturday at Carlisle and you saw their appreciation of us at the end with the applause they gave.”

Pool dropped a place to 12th in League Two, six points outside the play-off zone.