Cardiff City 2 Blackpool 2

Scorer: Campbell (29, 65)

Scorer: Murphy (19, 27)

Attendance: 11,629

AT first glance this seemed an excellent result for the Seasiders last Saturday (March 9).

A point from Ninian Park is an achievement by any side in the division, never mind an out-of-form Blackpool. However many fans would have been expecting all three points when, after half an hour, Pool were two goals up.

In the end, despite the early advantage, Blackpool did well to hang on.

After Pool had scored their second goal on 27 minutes, Cardiff immediately grabbed a goal back and Steve MacMahon's men deserve credit for refusing to crumble after the Bluebird's 65th minute equaliser.

McMahon said after the game that, although he was disappointed with the result, he could not complain about his players' commitment and resolve.

After all, Pool found themselves lucky to be 2-0 up after half an hour anyway, since both goals from John Murphy were against the run of play. Pool were bombarded by a vibrant Cardiff in the opening 15 minutes. The home side cut open the Blackpool defence on three or four occasions and Phil Barnes had to be on top form to prevent an early goal.

So you did have to feel for the Bluebirds when they found themselves two down. Murphy grabbed the first on 18 minutes, turning Scott Young six yards out to bundle the ball past Neil Alexander. Ten minutes later he scored his 12th of the season when he nodded in at the back post from a Paul Simpson corner.

Unfortunately that is where the goal flourish ended for Blackpool, and Andy Campbell immediately hit back for the home side. Phil Barnes could only parry Graham Kavanagh's low drive and Campbell was on hand to tap it in from five yards.

Scott Taylor should have made it 3-1 to Blackpool before half time but he could only shoot wide when put through on goal. Cardiff had a few chances themselves but the teams went into the break with score still at 2-1 to Blackpool.

Cardiff started the second half strongly and only some excellent keeping from Barnes delayed an equaliser, but eventually the inevitable happened. Twenty minutes into the second half Campbell grabbed his second with a superb half volley into the top corner.

In previous matches, Pool would have collapsed at this point and conceded another. But, backed by the introduction of sub Ian Hughes, they never really looked like giving away a valuable point despite long periods of pressure.

The draw against Cardiff, who are pushing for the play-offs, moved Pool one place higher, to 16th, in the table thanks to results going their way elsewhere in the division.