Ian Evatt responds to boos after Blackpool are beaten at Leyton Orient

Blackpool manager Ian Evatt vowed to turn his side’s form around after they were booed off following a 2-0 defeat by Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road.

A Will Forrester header and a Dane Scarlett penalty dropped Evatt’s side into the bottom four in League One.

Evatt said: “I understand the fans’ anger. I understand their frustration. But we faced it last season and we managed to turn things around and go on a really good run. There’s no reason why we can’t do that again.

“Anyone who watched that performance today can’t tell me that’s a team that is struggling, or can’t tell me that’s a team that looks like they’re giving up on the manager’s ideas. It’s definitely not. It’s the opposite of that.

“There’s work that we need to do but I still believe that I’m the guy and the staff are the ones that can help the players turn this around. I believe in the players, I believe in the team.”

Evatt was angry after his side had a penalty appeal turned down with the game goalless when Josh Bowler appeared to be fouled by Alfie Gilchrist. He also contested Orient’s spot-kick over a handball against Oliver Casey.

Evatt added: “With Josh, it certainly wasn’t a dive. There’s clearly contact and for me and it is a penalty. And when there is contact, it’s not simulation.

“How that can be a yellow card? It’s absolutely crazy. And then the penalty that they get clearly hit Olly Casey in the armpit. I’ve watched it back and slowed it down.”

Orient boss Richie Wellens praised Forrester’s display in both boxes as the central defender scored and played his part in limiting Blackpool to few clear-cut opportunities.

Wellens said: “Will has been our best player for four or five games now. I thought that we looked assured when the ball came into our box today.

“Blackpool had their moments today and put a couple of dangerous balls into our box, but we dealt with them well.”

While they are unbeaten away from Brisbane Road, the victory was only Orient’s second home league win of the season.

Wellens added: “It’s a home win and a clean sheet. Can we do better on the ball? Yes, but we are starting to do that.

“We needed the fans today. It felt alive here today and good to be here. It’s the first home game in which we haven’t had to chase the game.

“We can still be tidier, we can still be better.

“I can’t think of the last penalty we got. I don’t know why we don’t get many. Maybe the atmosphere’s not hostile enough because we feel that referees give decisions against us when we go away.”