First-team coach Gary Speed spoke of the importance of an early goal setting up Tuesday night's impressive 3-0 success over fellow play-off hopefuls Blackpool at the Lane.

United's planning for the game was again hindered by injury and suspension, but Speed was delighted with the players' response - especially Richard Cresswell's early goal, which hit the back of the net after just 42 seconds.

"It was an excellent win in difficult circumstances, against a team in good form, because yet again we had to introduce a lad to the team for the first time at 6pm.

"We all rallied round and it was great to get the goal in the first minute because we could have been apprehensive after the QPR game.

"We were forced into more changes and didn't know how the crowd would react, but our effort was never in doubt and the lads showed their character once again.

He adds: "Sometimes getting in front so early can work against you if you can't sustain it so getting the second goal was imperative because Blackpool looked a good side with Vaughan picking balls up from the back.

"They made sure we had to concentrate right through the game, but in the end we were pretty comfortable.

"The win is a massive boost for us and credit should go to the lads for the way they went about achieving it. Only four of the 18 on duty were here at the beginning of the season and now we've lost Bunny."