GARY MacKenzie hailed Andy Lonergan’s “wonder game” as the main reason that Blackpool’s name was not present in the fourth round draw.

The seasiders crashed to a seventh straight defeat thanks to goals from David Ngog and Jermaine Beckford, cancelling out Tom Barkhuizen’s controversial effort just before the break.

But the defender argued his side deserved something out of the game, and would have claimed a reward had it not been for the Preston-born-and-bred Lonergan.

“There was a hunger, we tried to get something out of the game. The lads were desperate for a result, which is working against us at the moment,” he said.

“When we went behind we didn’t panic, we kept prodding away and tried to find a way back into the game. Their keeper has had a wonder game and we haven’t had the break of the ball.

“It is going to change, it has to, because I thought we were much the better team.”

Dougie Freedman complained after the game that Barkhuizen’s strike before half time should not have stood because a Blackpool player – believed to be former White Chris Basham – jumped in front of Lonergan to try and connect with the youngster’s curling shot whilst standing in an offside position.

The referee’s assistant flagged for offside but after a conversation with Wiltshire official Simon Hooper, the goal was allowed to stand.

Paul Ince declined to speak to the press after the game, sending up his assistant – former Wanderers midfielder Steve Thompson.

“It’s one of those grey areas but they couldn’t disallow that because it was a fantastic strike,” said Thompson.

“I’d have been disappointed if we didn’t get it, but we were disappointed we conceded just after half time.”