‘Pool Clinch Survival Against Forest

Ten man Blackpool picked up a credible draw at home to Nottingham Forest to secure survival in The Championship for another season.

The visitors took the lead on nine minutes when a brilliant ball in from Lynch well converted by on-loan Dexter Blackstock, who was poorly marked by Ian Evatt.

But the ‘Pool hit back on the half hour mark when Brett Ormerod was played in nicely before firing home across goalkeeper Paul Smith to level the scores and effectively seal The Seasiders’ status in the division once again.

In a game totally ruined by the awful Bloomfield Road pitch (obviously no coincidence that we play far better away from home is it?) there were a lack of clear cut chances throughout the 90 minutes.

The point was ok for Billy Davies’ Forest team as well, who now sit four points clear of Norwich City in the final relegation spot. The Canaries do have a game in hand – Monday night’s televised fixture against Reading at Carrow Road – and if they lose that The Trees are safe.

But today it was all about Blackpool who, in the absence of Tony Parkes because of personal reasons, showed that despite going down to ten men, were capable of holding out for that final point needed in the quest for survival.

As for Ian Evatt’s sending off, there was really no option for the referee, who got the decision spot on. Joe Garner was racing clear of the tangerine backline before he was tripped by Evo outside the box, and so, as last man, he deserved to go and will miss the final game of the season at Swansea.

From the resulting freekick, Chris Cohen produced a wonder save from Paul Rachubka; the ball was floating into the left hand top corner before the American flung himself to his right and tipped the ball around the post one-handed. A marvellous save, and other than that, coupled with one goalmouth scramble, the ‘Pool didn’t look threatened and held out for a 1-1 draw infront of 9200 fans.