The desire to come back from Saturday was immense

Last updated : 05 March 2009 By Tony Scholes
Parkes was incensed that Mason was so desperate to abandon the game that he missed a blatant penalty that he believes cost Blackpool a result. The former Blackburn hanger on said: "We should have had a penalty but the referee was so concerned with abandoning the game that he lost concentration and missed things.

"It was a blatant penalty but he didn't see it. I don't think he had his eye on the ball and that has cost us a draw, if not a win. He kept coming to the sidelines wanting Owen Coyle and myself to agree with him to call the game off. It's very strange for the referee to want to get a game off. It's usually the managers, or at least one of them."

Owen Coyle was delighted to see his side back to winning ways after picking up just two points from the previous three games. He saw us win the game with a goal from left back Christian Kalvenes five minutes from the end. "It was a fantastic footballing move, culminating in a cool finish from Christian," he said.

"I've lost count of how many goalscorers that is now this season, but it's nice that we have players scoring from different areas of the park and the biggest thing that summed us up tonight was character.

"The desire to come back from Saturday was immense and to come and get the shut out, after how poorly we defended on Saturday, was pleasing.

"We made four changes and threw two strikers on to win the game late on. Blackpool put us under pressure but if there was any football played, with all respects to them, it was us that played it.

"I believe that was a game we would have lost when I came into the club last season, but the lads rolled their sleeves up and showed desire to bounce back quickly. We know we have match winners, we have youth and we have energy and hopefully that will stand us in good stead for the run in."

Speaking about the potential for calling the game off he said: "I think the referee wanted to know from the safety officer if there were any safety concerns, probably I would imagine concerning our fans standing in the rain, uncovered.

"I have to pay tribute to them, coming out on a night like this with no cover in this day and age and showing that level of support. It was great to reward them with three points.