Ian Evatt hopes long-awaited Blackpool win will build belief

Blackpool boss Ian Evatt admitted Bloomfield Road breathed “a sigh of relief” when Karoy Anderson’s 69th-minute strike set the hosts on their way to a 2-0 League One win over MK Dons.

Anderson’s cross-shot from a tight angle flew past a startled Will Dennis before substitute Dale Taylor wrapped up the Tangerines’ first league win since August 29.

“Whether it had to happen or didn’t, we try to win every game, believe it or not,” said Evatt after his team finally ended its six-match winless streak in the league.

“It was a sigh of relief and the players then started to relax and show some of the courage and personality we asked them to do in possession.

“Hopefully, they can start believing in themselves a bit more now.”

Evatt had asked for the fans’ backing in his programme notes but home supporters were certainly frustrated by their side’s early performance.

“In the first half, we stood up to all their physicality,” said Evatt. “They have a system and a way of playing that asks a lot of questions of you.

“That’s been our kryptonite at times with that kind of football. We stood up well but forget to show our personality that was down to nervousness and over caring.

“We have to have more personality and belief and we did that in the second half.

“We have been on a poor run but I didn’t feel we were that far away. We weren’t heavily beaten by anyone.”

Dons went closest to scoring in the 20th minute when Sam Silvera’s rampaging run ended with a shot against the post.

Blackpool grew in confidence forcing Will Dennis into a hat-trick of saves before half-time.

With 21 minutes remaining Anderson finally broke the deadlock, and eight minutes later Taylor rifled in a sweetly hit shot from Albie Morgan’s pass to seal victory.

Frustrated MK Dons manager Paul Warne admitted defeat, after last weekend’s victory over Luton had ended their winless start to the League One campaign, was like “a punch in the stomach”.

“The game was there to be won and that’s frustrating,” Warne added.

“In the first half we were good box to box. But not good in the box.

“We had loads of opportunities and breakaways that ended up with an overhit pass or cross.

“It just felt like we were in the ascendancy. I said to the lads at half-time, ‘if we drop points here you will be disappointed’.

“I just felt we were the better team. I felt the fan base had turned on the team and that’s when you have to score when you are on top.

“But we didn’t and we didn’t test the keeper enough which is a concern.”