Blackpool boss Bowyer frustrated by failure to finish

His team fought well against a side expecting to challenge for promotion in the league above, but Pool were unable to find the net when chances fell their way.

Danny Philliskirk, Brad Potts and Jamille Matt all had glorious opportunities for Blackpool to get something from this second group game.

While Bowyer was pleased with the performance away from home, he spoke of his frustration at the lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.

He said: “Tonight I learned that the whole squad are taking on board the work we are doing on the training ground.

“With the changes we have made, there wasn’t much disruption to how we have been playing all season and that’s a pleasing part.

“The football we played, especially first half, and the chances we created were really good.

“But we seem to have a problem at the moment in converting the chances we are creating and we’re giving away silly goals at the same time. That’s got to stop and it’s got to stop quickly.”

Making six changes to the starting line-up, Pool fought to the end and even created two good opportunities as the clock ticked over to the final minute.

However, they lost to Sammy Ameobi’s fourth-minute goal, scored when Town failed to clear the ball from inside their own six-yard box.

The Pool boss added: “We didn’t get the first ball or the second ball from the corner and that’s really disappointing.

“We’re an honest bunch and I consider myself an honest man. No team has cut us open this season or really hurt us, but the downfall at the moment is ourselves.”

Bowyer, a confessed critic of the competition’s rules, spoke of his frustration at being unable to give some of his fringe players 90 minutes.

“It was a good chance for Bright Osayi-Samuel and Mark Yeates to get 45 minutes under their belt. We desperately needed to get them some minutes,” he said.

“It’s disappointing those two can’t start because we have to field five from Saturday’s starting line-up.”