Andy Woodman insists Bromley's 2-2 draw at Blackpool on Saturday was proof that the Ravens belong in League One, after a bruising run of three consecutive defeats had raised serious questions about their readiness for the third tier.

Twice from behind at Bloomfield Road

Bromley came from behind twice to earn a point at Bloomfield Road, a result Woodman described as a significant confidence boost for a club that was playing non-league football just two years ago. The Ravens had shipped 14 goals in their previous three outings: a 7-2 hammering at Sheffield Wednesday, a 5-0 home defeat to Leyton Orient, and a 2-0 loss to AFC Wimbledon.

Saturday's showing was a marked contrast. Bromley looked organised, competitive and willing to scrap for every ball on a ground where, as Woodman pointedly noted, the hosts were playing in the Premier League 15 years ago. At that point, Bromley were five levels below in the National League South.

"It gives us a little bit of confidence that we're not out of our depth," Woodman told BBC Radio London. "We looked very disciplined in our shape and set-up and we looked a little bit more like a Bromley team in my eyes. There was a bit more bite about us."

Blocking out the noise

The manager acknowledged that the losing streak had brought outside criticism, but urged his players to stay focused on the process rather than the noise around it. The squad, he stressed, is still finding its feet in unfamiliar surroundings.

"Everyone has their opinion when you lose," he said. "But we've got to block out the noise. It's a new league for us. We're a new group of players."

Woodman also had a sharp response for a Blackpool supporter who heckled him from the stands. "As I said to one of their supporters who was heckling me, we were in non-League two years ago, so I don't think we've done too bad," he added.

Remarkable rise, steep learning curve

Bromley's story remains one of the most striking in the Football League. Back-to-back promotions brought them from the National League to the third tier in just three seasons, and this is their first ever campaign at this level. The early weeks have illustrated the size of the step up, but Saturday's point at Blackpool suggests the group can adapt.

Woodman's priority now will be to build on the defensive structure and collective spirit that made Bloomfield Road such a different experience from the previous three matches. If Bromley can reproduce that discipline consistently, a first League One survival will be well within reach by the spring.

Whether Saturday marks a genuine turning point or a single bright afternoon remains to be seen. But for a manager and a fanbase who have watched their club climb four divisions in a decade, the capacity to compete against established third-tier sides is exactly the kind of evidence they were looking for.

Frequently asked

What was the score in Bromley's game at Blackpool?
The match at Bloomfield Road ended 2-2, with Bromley coming from behind twice to earn a point.
How many League One games had Bromley lost before the Blackpool draw?
Bromley had lost three matches in a row, conceding 14 goals across defeats to Sheffield Wednesday (7-2), Leyton Orient (5-0) and AFC Wimbledon (2-0).
What did Andy Woodman say after Bromley's draw at Blackpool?
Woodman said the result proved Bromley are 'not out of their depth' in League One and praised the team's discipline and shape, adding that the club were in non-league football just two years ago.