After the passionate Seasiders’ FA Cup loss to Nottingham Forest, the Blackpool manager concedes, “It’s hard to take.”

At Bloomfield Road, the visitors had jumped out to a two-goal lead thanks to goals from Andrew Omobamidele in the first half and Danilo shortly after. Albie Morgan made up for his mistake in the build-up to Forest’s second goal with an incredible strike, and then substitute Kyle Joseph headed the Seasiders level.

The replay was necessary because the Premier League team at the City Ground had overcome a two-goal deficit. Chris Wood scored the game-winning goal in the extra 30 minutes needed for the replay because there could be no draw.

It’s difficult to go all that way and come up empty-handed, according to Critchley.

“You honestly couldn’t tell the difference between the two squads during the 120 minutes. We really tried our best to make it a thrilling cup tie. It had a great atmosphere. Although our comeback from a 2-0 deficit demonstrated character and skill, I’m extremely sad that we were unable to extend the game to penalties and increase its already thrilling intensity.

“We had a good start to the game, but we let their first corner slip by and didn’t defend it as well as we could have. Giving them one like that seemed like a free goal, but we had a great comeback, and in the first half, I thought we were the superior team.

“We told them to play forward and to the conditions after halftime, but we didn’t do it at the beginning, and they punished us for it.

At 2-0, it would have been easy for heads to droop, but we rallied and had an opportunity to win with Kaddy (Karamoko Dembele).

“We ought to gain assurance from it. We made an effort to play a different kind of game than we usually played, taking a chance by attacking first. They were made to play a game against their will by us. We did the competition proud with the performance and the cup tie, which I really enjoyed.

Goal scorer Joseph was one of the Blackpool second-half substitutes who showed promise after going on.

“Kyle was a real handful when he came on, so I was thrilled for him,” Critchley continued.

“The Forest defense had an alternative plan thanks to the front three. They gave them serious trouble, helped us win the game again, and almost took it from us.