Blackpool manager Steve Bruce was delighted with his side’s character after they beat Barnsley 3-0 at Oakwell.
A brace from Sonny Carey and Ashley Fletcher’s second-half header secured a convincing Sky Bet League One victory.
Bruce said: “Arguably as good as we’ve played since I’ve been here. Sonny [Carey] could’ve scored three in the first half, and you probably would’ve backed him to score with the type of finisher he is.
“To be fair to him, he kept at it and kept going, which takes some doing. I was delighted for him because of his attitude and the way he was.”
Bruce wanted to highlight the improvements at the back in recent weeks, saying: “It was something we had to improve on, and we did improve on it.
“It was a terrific performance for us, and we were very comfortable in the end.
“It’s one of them good afternoons, and how many times have we done it away from home? Birmingham, Wrexham, Wycombe, here, Charlton, Huddersfield and Bolton, where we were as good as them in their own backyard.
“It’s highly unlikely [making the play-offs], but it’s my job to make sure that we don’t just slither away.
“I wanted them to play and play without the edginess of losing to Stockport last week. I just enjoyed watching us play today; we played with a certain swagger that was good to see.”
Barnsley head coach Darrell Clarke was dismayed at his team’s performance.
Clarke said: “It’s another one of those games that I am apologising for. We’ve had too many of those this season, where we have been nowhere near the level that I expect.
“It’s unacceptable to go a goal down and chuck in the towel like we did. I won’t have it. The players are well aware of that.
“We have to respond, there’s 10 games left, and I will not let this season fizzle out.
“I wanted to give the boys a recharge, but they won’t be doing that. They will be working even harder. I won’t accept performances like that.
“We went in our shells, with players doing their own thing. It looked like we were out of ideas.
“We looked soft and fragile. I don’t want to kick players while they are down, but I also have to give out home truths.
“I will never give up. I am not the sort of guy who will give up.”
