Blackpool 2 Crystal Palace 2

Last updated : 25 October 2008 By The_Seasider

Despite the tough setting, both sides did their utmost to produce good football from the off and, when Alan Gow slotted in midfielder Keith Southern just a minute from the start, Pool should have gone one-up.

Palace too had early opportunities. They pushed forwards whenever they could and, when Blackpool defender Ian Evatt sliced away a swirling ball for a corner, Palace were provided with an early chance.

The swift ball came in deep from the set-piece and Paddy McCarthy beat everything but the post from close range.

It was complacency from the home side that allowed the breakthrough goal for the second time in a week.

Pool defenders struggled to play the simple ball after the scare and this error gifted midfielder Paul Ifill the simplest of chances in the box to crash a shot home for the opener.

Pool did all they could to reassert their dominance on the game and zipped the ball around the midfield.

Southern again had a chance on goal as he pulled wide a cross which had stranded Julian Speroni.

Moments later, Gary Taylor-Fletcher whipped in a cross-cum-shot that also troubled the keeper.

On the stroke of half-time, a low stooping header from Shaun-Barker forced a fingertip save that on another day would surely have gone in.

After the break Pool came out with a sense of urgency and three minutes in top-scorer Ben Burgess crashed home an equaliser from 18 yards.

The joy was short-lived as Neil Warnock's men wasted no time retaking the lead and Craig Beattie came bounding into space before finding the net with a cool finish.

With the wind and the crowd behind them, Pool looked to force a way back yet again and a long free-kick into a packed box found Ian Evatt. The big defender made no mistake as he looped a header into the net.

The home side pushed on in search of a winner and Adam Hammill rounded defender Matthew Lawrence to go one-on-one and looked sure to fire in, only to see his effort fly inches wide.