Steve Bruce felt Blackpool’s first-half performance was the best he has seen from his side as they ended a run of four successive draws with a 3-1 win at Exeter.
First-half goals from CJ Hamilton, debutant Tom Bloxham and Ashley Fletcher had the Tangerines firmly in control at the break, but Exeter bagged a consolation through Millenic Alli late in the second half.
“We have been close for a few weeks, but we took our chances today,” said Bruce. “But the first-half performance was arguably as good as I have seen us play, especially away from, home against a very decent team.
“We were electric in the first half, but it’s been coming. We have been saying for a while it’s been coming but again, we have left our best performances for away from home, which is a bit frustrating, but I suppose it is not a bad thing to have.
“I thought Tom Bloxham had a great debut today, he was training with the lads today and was the mainstay and caused them all sorts of problems. It was a great goal that he scored and a good assist, so good for him. He looks a very good buy for us.
“It’s a big step for us and I believe we are close. We are edging towards it and we have a bit to do, but I am very pleased with what I have seen and what I have witnessed, but we are edging closer to where we want to be.”
Exeter boss Gary Caldwell was left cursing a crazy 10-minute spell from his players, which left them with a mountain to climb.
“We had a crazy 10 minutes at the end of the first half where we gifted three goals, but up until that point, it was a 50-50 game,” he said.
“We had moments before that and got in and around their penalty box – they did too – but as I said, we gifted them three goals and had a mountain to climb at half-time.
“I said to the players after the game, I will take what they did in the second half with their effort, their commitment and endeavour and I thought they were excellent. We were lucky to get away with it against Crawley (Exeter were 4-1 down at half-time and came back to draw 4-4), but we didn’t get away with it today.
“We should have had a penalty – it was a stonewall penalty – and if we get and score that, then the stadium gets right up for the last 10 minutes but, again, it is a bad decision. We had a really good go in the second half, but we need to win more games – and we know that. We also need more players to help us through.”
