Blackpool ‘got what we deserved’ – Ian Evatt

Blackpool boss Ian Evatt felt his side’s 2-0 victory over Northampton had been coming following a difficult run of form.

The Seasiders’ win marks their first points of 2026, after starting the new calendar year with three consecutive defeats in League One – and an FA Cup exit – following an unbeaten December.

Zac Ashworth and Ashley Fletcher were both on the scoresheet, with their goals coming at the beginning of each half in what was a comfortable afternoon for the Tangerines.

“Professional sums it up really well,” Evatt said.

“The whole week has been professional in terms of being businesslike. The last few weeks have been tough for us all – the fanbase, the team, and the staff – because we’ve not felt like we’ve got what we deserved.

“Today feels like we got what we deserved. We started really well, in difficult conditions. It was the type of game that was set-play dominant, and we dealt with that – it was a brilliant clean sheet.

“It’s an important win, and one I felt like was coming. We started both halves really fast and there were some really good passages of play.

“When we had to show quality, we did. We didn’t sense any nervousness, given the run we have been on, which is credit to the players. We’ve been working on having a better mentality.

“We’ve all felt a sense of injustice but today was a really important win and one I felt we deserved. The players did exactly what we asked of them and deserved three points.”

For Northampton, the result sees Kevin Nolan’s side stuck in the bottom four and still waiting for their first league win in over a month.

“There was nothing much in the first half, they showed a bit of quality with a long ball which we got caught out with, we made a few blocks and then slip in the box and it falls for them and they have the quality to put it in the back of the net,” the Cobblers boss said.

“It turned out to be an even game, with nothing much in it, but you’ve got to start forcing it; we’ve got to be better.

“We’ve got to be better on the ball. It’s not for the want of trying, but we’ve got to show it on the pitch when it matters, when the pressure is on.

“We’re not at the minute, and that’s been the biggest downfall for us. That’s why we’re not scoring goals. We’re not putting balls into the box at the right time, and our quality has left us at the minute.

“We’ve got to keep plugging away, keep working together, and keep going because we can quickly change this around.”