Gary Bowyer hails ‘phenomenal human being’ Jake Beesley after Burton winner

Head coach Gary Bowyer was ‘buzzing’ for striker Jake Beesley after his second-half goal helped Burton into the top half of League One with a 1-0 victory over Blackpool.

Beesley’s fifth of the season against his former club made it goals in back-to-back league wins for the Brewers after beating Bradford last week.

Bowyer, who used to manage Blackpool, said: “Absolutely buzzing for him scoring against his old club. Their fans were giving him a bit so I’m delighted he got his goal.

“What Jake gives us, you can’t measure. People will judge him by his goals because he is a striker but everything else, the work and the effort he puts in – I will never ever question that lad and he is a phenomenal human being.”

Albion are now four unbeaten in League One and Bowyer recognised this as another important victory.

He added: “It was a tough game and a big win. That’s back-to-back wins and one in front of our own fans as well.

“It was such a tough game and the fight we showed, the effort and the connection – the players are running so hard for each other – it is impressive to watch.”

Bowyer had goalkeeper Brad Collins to thank with two outstanding saves as Blackpool pushed for an equaliser in added time.

He said: “When called upon at the death Brad has come up with two worldies. The second save, in particular, is outstanding.”

Blackpool boss Ian Evatt saw his winning league start come to an end in a game of fine margins but felt his side deserved more.

He said: “I thought we did enough to get something out of the game, if I am honest.

“It was a game where you have to defend your box and I thought we did that for the large part. The one time we switched off and didn’t defend our box properly, they go and score.

“It’s very disappointing. This is a league where you can’t afford to switch off. This was always going to be a tight game and the environment here helps create that. They took their chance; we didn’t and that is football.”

After wins against Peterborough and Cardiff in his first two games, this was a first reverse for Evatt as he tries to revive the Tangerines’ fortunes this season.

He added: “That is the first time we have gone behind since I have been here and they showed some resilience.

“This was never going to be easy, and I know we have had a good start, but we are not going to go from where we were to winning every week.

“It doesn’t happen like that and we will have highs and lows along the way.”