Seasiders' squad still has play-off belief

The Seasiders come into today’s game against League Two league leaders Doncaster Rovers just two points off the play-off places despite failing to win in their last three outings.

They had a priceless opportunity to pick up all three points against Accrington Stanley at Bloomfield Road on Friday but were left to rue a late missed penalty from Kyle Vassell, which keeps them in eighth place.

But other results went their way meaning, with just four games remaining, Bowyer’s men are still in with a shout of a top seven finish.

Bowyer said: “The game against Grimsby wasn’t a missed opportunity because we weren’t good enough and gave silly goals away.

“But this week was because we had a chance to win the game with a penalty and we didn’t take it.

“There’s a lot of belief still in them and that’s important. I have to take my hat off to my lads because the next four games for everyone in the league are going to ne nervy.

“But we tried and played with the ball against Accrington and that was good to see. We had a lot of it and tried to play and that will go a long way in these last four games.

“We were good with the ball and created some good openings so we just need to keep working on that.

“I commend them for their bravery in terms of getting on the ball.

“There are still a lot of twists and turns left and everything to play for.”

Today they make the trip to South Yorkshire to face a side who have already clinched promotion back to League One.

Darren Ferguson’s side are now fully focused on picking up the League Two title but will also be hoping to avenge their 4-2 defeat against Blackpool earlier in the season.

“You have to congratulate Doncaster for getting promoted,” Bowyer added.

“I think it’s been a massive achievement from Darren and the board to stick with him when they got relegated.

“They knew what a quality manager he is and they’ve turned it around.

“I’m expecting our lads to go there and give a performance like they did at Plymouth away and Carlisle away. We’re capable of that.

“We’ve got to keep believing especially when you’ve got the talent we’ve got in our dressing room.”

Doncaster remain six points clear at the top of the table after drawing 1-1 at Colchester United on Friday.

Ferguson said: “I’m disappointed we didn’t win the game given the chances we had. The first half wasn’t good enough and I asked for a response at half-time.

“Second half, I thought we were very good but the first half we were very, very poor. As poor as we’ve been for a long time.

“That was very disappointing.

“But the second half we showed much more what we’re about and we should have won it.

“You have to give credit to Colchester. We knew they’d start the game lively. We knew they’d press.

“We want to finish the season with the quality and class we’ve shown up to now.”