Norwich City 1 Blackpool 1

Last updated : 16 August 2008 By The_Seasider

A 1-1 draw with Blackpool represented a disappointing start to the season for Norwich City's fans, who saw Jamie Cureton hit the bar early on and Arturo Lupoli miss the target from close range.

At the start of the second half a mistake by John Kennedy let in Adam Hammill and when he was upended by Elliott Omozusi, Ben Burgess put Blackpool ahead from the penalty spot.

City substitute, Darrell Russell's equaliser ensured a grandstand finish but the Canaries failed to produce a winning goal.

Blackpool kicked off, attacking the River End goal, but the first shot came from Cureton who curled a right-foot shot wide of Paul Rachubka's left-hand post.

Two minutes later Cureton came even closer when his snapshot from Matty Pattison's cross came back off the bar and Wes Hoolahan fired over when well placed.

At the other end Gary Taylor-Fletcher's header was easily saved by David Marshall and Hammill fired wide.

After 25 minutes former Canary Mo Camara saw his free-kick saved by Marshall.

On the half hour Cureton was released by Pattison and found himself one on one with the keeper. His scuffed shot turned into a diagonal cross, but his striking partner Lupoli, taken by surprise, fired wide.

In stoppage time Lupoli did get a shot on target but straight into the keeper's arms.

Ten minutes into the second half, Omozusi tripped Hammill and Burgess scored from the spot, beating Marshall to his right with a firm left-foot shot.

Russell equalised for City in the 74th minute. Hoolahan's corner from the left was headed towards the near post by Dejan Stefanovic and the City substitute planted a firm header in the net from close range.

Cureton's firm shot was saved by Rachubka and the script appeared to have been written for Hoolahan to grab a winner against his former club, but he dragged his shot agonisingly wide.