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Holloway convinced Blackpool can beat United

Jason Puncheon was on the scoresheet for Blackpool © PA Photos

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Ian Holloway believes Blackpool can achieve their fairytale ending by beating Premier League champions Manchester United in the final game of the season next Sunday.

The Seasiders kept their survival hopes alive with an astonishing 4-3 victory over Bolton at Bloomfield Road, with Charlie Adam netting the winner in the 63rd minute. However, Wolves' victory at Sunderland ensured Blackpool remain in the relegation zone and could well need all three points next weekend if they are to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

Holloway brushed off the disappointment of Wolves' result, saying: "All that matters is the dignity, the pride we've showed, getting back on track. That's four games unbeaten, and anyone who's seen the last four games can tell that Blackpool are back and looking like we did at the start of the season. That was really important to us.

"Blow me down with this fairytale we're all on, this story that has been unfolding for the last two years. We've got to go to Manchester United and probably get a win, and that might not even be enough.

"I believe it will be, though, because Wolves are at home to Blackburn. I've had some strange things happen in my life and maybe the main man up there has written a story that would probably beat Cinderella. And I believe we can do it, whoever they put out. I want to spoil their party.''

Holloway added: "It was quite breathtaking. That really does sum up our season. We started so brilliantly, the crowd were with us, Bolton passed it and moved it and then got a goal, probably against the run of play, and we're one down. But the fans were terrific, the lads kept going; that's what we looked like last year and we've managed to look like that this year in the top level in the world.''

Bolton boss Owen Coyle praised his side's battling spirit but admitted they were made to pay for some poor defending.

The Scot said: "I felt we did more than enough certainly to be leaving with a point but if you're going to defend the way we did in the first half then you're going to pay a heavy price. We dominated the second half, they've scored on the break with a great finish but we kept pushing on and we had chances to get the equaliser, but we didn't take them.''

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