Boss Steve Bruce expressed his delight after Blackpool ended an eight-match League One winless streak with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.
The visitors eased to a first EFL triumph since late September thanks to Bryant Bilongo’s own goal on 27 minutes and Lee Evans’ penalty seven minutes after the break.
Bruce said: “I’m really pleased because it’s been a difficult period for all concerned but we had to get the season back up and running again.
“We played very well and once we got in front that confidence we’ve talked about for weeks started to come back.
“We did all the basics right which is vitally important when you come to a place like Bristol Rovers.
“They were passing the ball again but they’ve got a real appetite to work hard which has never deserted them.
“We needed it and I’m pleased for the players. They’ve been working their socks off and haven’t really quite got the rewards and been punished in the last minute of games.
“We’re nudging towards where we should be and I thought we were comfortable.”
Bruce also praised the travelling supporters who headed to the West Country.
He added: “I have to say a big well done to all the fans who travelled down here because you’ve got to be a true supporter to come this far.
“I’ve no idea what they’re doing for work on Wednesday because they’re travelling for hours and hours and deserve to be rewarded.
“Thankfully they’ve seen their team win again because it’s been too long, especially in the league.”
Rovers manager Matt Taylor had no complaints as his side failed to register a single effort on target and were booed by their own fans on the final whistle.
“At times the whole pitch looked too big for us because we were disconnected,” said Taylor, who was looking for back-to-back wins following a 1-0 success at Mansfield.
“Credit to the opposition but we were leggy from the weekend and there were big gaps between us.
“I don’t think many of the Blackpool defenders will have felt under real pressure when we should have given them a really hard time.”
Taylor added: “I never felt we were in control of that game.
“We were bright in the first half without creating anything and we have to turn those moments into sustained pressure.
“The second goal rocked us and we went in the period after that, to be honest, and we had no control in the middle of the pitch.
“We were chasing the game without real quality. It’s something for us to look into.”
