Match Report

Blackpool and Crystal Palace played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in difficult conditions at Bloomfield Road.

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.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides