POOL were guilty of conceding yet another penalty which lost them three more useful points.

But unlike Rhys Days woeful lunge and Phil Barnes rugby tackle which led to penalties in the previous two games, this spot kick wasnt so clear-cut.

Steve McMahon certainly thought so, stating after the game that "It was a dubious pen to say the least. It was especially frustrating for McMahon since he had made several bold decisions which, if it werent for the penalty, would have yielded the points. First team regulars such as Danny Coid, Martin Bullock and Rhys Day were all left out as McMahon went for all or nothing.

The game at Layer Road was quite similar to the corresponding fixture at Bloomfield Road earlier in the season. Pool had gone a goal up only for Colchester to equalise late on but thats where the similarity ends. Because Pool had Brett Ormerod on their books at the time and when he was in the side there was always a chance he could steal the points. And thats exactly what he did, in the fourth minute of injury time; Pool could certainly do with some of his goals at the moment.<BR>

However in all fairness, Pool were much better today compared to Tuesdays LDV Vans encounter with Huddersfield which saw Pool just sneak into the final on aggregate despite losing the game on the night. Despite Colchester having two goals disallowed in the first half no one would have argued that Pool were the dominant side. Richard Walker had the best chance when he was put through on goal but he slipped and allowed Colchester to clear. Earlier, John Murphy nearly celebrated his new 3-year contract with a goal but he was unable to convert a rebound from a Riche Wellens shot which had hit the cross bar.

But the opener for Blackpool eventually came and it was Richard Walker he was on the score sheet for his second league goal of the season. Walker finished well from a John Hills cross just before half time to put Pool 1-0 ahead and that was how stayed when the two teams left the pitch at half time.

Pool could have gone further ahead in the second half, John Murphy came close again with a header on the hour mark. But as Pool failed to grab a second, they were always vulnerable to conceding a goal at the back and having to share the points with the home side. And thats what happened, albeit from a little help from the referee. Pool left back Tommy Jaszczun was the man adjudged to have brought down Graham Barrett in the box, and a penalty was given. It was a very harsh decision on Blackpool but Colchester striker Joe Keith didnt mind, he gladly slotted the spot kick home to level the scores.

The score wasnt disastrous for Pool by any means, results went their way, which puts Pool 8 points clear off the drop zone. But Blackpool fans will still like a few wins on the trot to put some significant daylight between the club and relegation.

Colchester 1-1 Blackpool

Walker (41)

Keith (pen72)