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Blackpool boss Steve Bruce hailed his players after they gave their play-off hopes a major boost with a convincing 3-0 win over Reading in Sky Bet League One.
In-form Sonny Carey took his recent scoring streak to six goals in as many games with a brace, either side of Olly Casey’s effort, at Bloomfield Road.
Bruce’s Seasiders are three points off the coveted top six and are building a head of steam at just the right time after three straight wins.
Steve Bruce
And Bruce, who has earned promotions with Birmingham and Hull, said: “It gives us a chance, doesn’t it?
“I believe in our history and this club has a history of coming from afar when it matters and we’ve made up big ground in the last four or five weeks and have given ourselves a chance with six games to go. It’s all to play for.
“We’ll go to Rotherham. They had a good result as well. It’s never easy going there. We’ll go there and see what we can do.
“Fair play to the players. I contemplated freshening it up after the intensity of the derby on Saturday.
“The energy, the commitment and desire to get the result…I’m absolutely delighted for them.
“Second half we could have scored five or six. I’m absolutely delighted with what we’ve done in the past week.
“Since Christmas we’ve looked a threat at the top end of the pitch. You wouldn’t like to play us.
“We’ve got pace in wide areas. We’re a physical threat. I’m really pleased.
“Considering Sonny’s missed two or three months of the season it’s a great effort to get to double figures.
“He’s playing amazing at the minute. I’m delighted with him and he’s getting his rewards.”
Reading saw their play-off hopes dented and are sat a point behind Bolton Wanderers after being turned over by the Seasiders.
Noel Hunt
After seeing his side’s 11-game unbeaten run ended with a whimper, Noel Hunt said: “It was three minutes of madness and a couple of mistakes.
“At this level if you dwell on the ball you get punished.
“It is a learning curve for us. We came off a great run, 11 games unbeaten, and now we have to bounce back and show our character.
“We lost a bit of structure for a minute or two, they take a quick free-kick and you’re chasing the game then.
“I thought we controlled the first half. But when you concede two goals like we did you’re always chasing.
“They have Lee Evans, who won the league with me at Wigan and he’s won the league since that twice.
“They have boys in there with great experience and knowhow. Their front two are dangerous and a handful and showed that tonight.”
READ MORE: Sonny Carey scores twice as Blackpool end Reading’s unbeaten run
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