Comeback win delights Wellens

Jack Byrne struck just two minutes after coming on against Blackpool

Athletic boss Richie Wellens has challenged his players to use their crucial 2-1 comeback win over Blackpool as the catalyst for a run to survival.

Athletic eased out of the Sky Bet League One drop zone thanks to a spirited fightback crowned by second-half goals from Jack Byrne and Eoin Doyle.

After the hosts missed a string of chances, Blackpool struck first after 37 minutes when Kyle Vassell slotted in Colin Daniel’s left-wing cross.

Substitute Byrne had only been on the pitch for two minutes when he evened it up on the hour mark, driving a fine strike into the top corner.

Athletic grabbed the points after 85 minutes as Doyle, on loan from Preston, headed home Byrne’s corner as he registered his 16^th goal of the season.

A delighted Wellens said: “The biggest thing was the result. It’s a massive win for us and we deserved it.

“Jack Byrne was brilliant when he came on. It wasn’t easy for me to drop one of my best players, but he channelled his frustration in exactly the right way.

“We have been around the bottom six or seven for the majority of the season, so we know the next few games will define where we end up.

“It was really important to beat Blackpool because they are one of those teams who are near us in the table.

“This is League One football and a lot of things can happen. It isn’t easy to build momentum if you aren’t one of the top teams, but it can swing very quickly.

“It isn’t long since we picked up 11 points from five games, but then we had a couple of disappointing results.

“Hopefully these three points will give us confidence and help us to kick on.”

Athletic are back in action on Saturday, April 7, when they travel to Oxford United.

Wellens' men are currently a point clear of the third tier drop zone, and have eight games left to play.