GRAYSON RELIEVED AFTER TILT HAS OFF-DAY
BLACKPOOL boss Simon Grayson was content his side “put their bodies on the line” to secure a point after Curtis Tilt saw red in the Seasiders’ stalemate.
Tilt was dismissed for two bookable offences in the 57th minute, but Grayson’s side managed to keep Burton at bay for the draw.
“When you are down to ten men with 30-odd minutes still on the clock you will take a clean sheet and a point against a team that can cause you problems with 11 men,” said the Tangerines boss. We had to dig deep, work hard and put our bodies on the line and get blocks in. Ultimately, we are happy with a clean sheet.”
Blackpool had the first chance after 14 minutes when Nathan Delfouneso’s cross somehow escaped the clutches of keeper Kieran O’Hara, but Burton skipper John Brayford reacted quickest to clear off the line, before Sullay Kaikai could convert.
Matty Virtue then blazed a good chance over when unmarked ten yards out.
Scott Fraser forced an excellent save from Jak Alnwick in the Seasiders goal, before Lucas Akins hooked a difficult chance on to the roof of the net.
Blackpool were reduced to ten men when Tilt was shown a second yellow card after bringing Oliver Sarkic down as he burst down the wing, having been booked after just three minutes for a foul on Nathan Broadhead.
With a man advantage, Albion pushed for a breakthrough and Alnwick had to save well from Sarkic, before substitute Liam Boyce almost scored with his first touch, glancing a Broadhead corner at goal where Alnwick saved again.
Blackpool sub Armand Gnanduillet almost grabbed a winner with a chip that clipped a post with two minutes remaining. Grayson had no issue with referee Carl Boyeson showing Tilt a second yellow card.
“No complaints” he said of the sending off. “He has been booked in the first half and second half he goes for the challenge.
“If you go for a tackle like that you have to make sure you win it, so it’s a yellow card and a sending off.”
For Burton boss Nigel Clough it was a case of being so close to three points, but a fourth home league clean sheet in a row was still pleasing.
“It is important to keep a clean sheet. That is four out of six at home this season, which is very important.”
Clough praised Blackpool’s resilience, but admitted it was a day when nothing really fell for his side.
“I did think Blackpool defended magnificently well, especially when they went down to ten men and it just seemed like one of those days when nothing quite seemed to drop for us in the penalty area,” he added. “We couldn’t do any more than we did.”