THE Seasiders maintained their unbeaten home record, but only just.

Blackpool are unbeaten at Bloomfield Road in the league since the opening game of the season but in the end had a lineman's flag to thank to deny highly tipped Cardiff City breaking that record.

After Dean Gordon's second half Cardiff goal had cancelled out John Hills' opener, Cardiff had the ball in the back of the net again but were denied by an offside decision.

That was just one of many let offs for Pool and manager Steve McMahon was first to admit his lucky to come away with the point.

"It's probably the best point we'll get this season, they've battled bravely, but they dominated for long periods and caused us problems.

"We are delighted to get a point, it's a better point for us than it is for them, that's for sure.

The hero for Blackpool was Phil Barnes, he showed a return to form with a brilliant performance.

Barnes was joined at the back by two changes - Gary Parkinson and Ian Marshall were brought in for the injured Brian Reid and Danny Coid.

The other notable change to the Seasiders line-up was the debut of Andy Payton up front, on-loan from Burnley.

Cardiff put Pool under pressure straight from the start and could have had three in the opening 10 minutes.

Stout defending and a commanding Phil Barnes denied them but it seemed only a matter of time before Cardiff multi-million pound stars would brake through.

However Blackpool held on and the teams went in at half time goal less.

But there was no relief for Steve McMahon's men in the second half and the first 10 minutes after the restart saw Cardiff pin Pool back in their half.

This prompted a change from McMahon, bringing on Hills and Fenton for the unlucky Payton and Parkinson.

McMahon's decision had immediate impact as minutes later Hills shot Pool into the lead with a thunderbolt of a strike.

After Martin Bullock and his shot parried Hills was first to react to blast the ball into the top corner for a somewhat undeserved opener.

Pools lead last only a minute as Cardiff equalised through Dean Gordon.

After receiving a free kick, Gordon took it quickly whilst Barnes was still sorting out his wall.

The curling strike was inch perfect into the bottom corner and gave the isolated Barnes no chance.

Then came the offside decision that saved a point for Pool. Dean It was Dean Gordon again who had the shot giving Barnes no chance with a low drive from the edge of the box.

But as the travelling support went wild with delight the linesman raised his flag, adjudging Cardiff strike Robert Earnshaw to be offside at the time of the strike.

Pool had Phil Barnes to thank in the minutes that remained. He pulled off a string a top class saves, the best of which was a close range block of Robert Earnshaws 70th minute effort.

Pool certainly met their match today, on another day Cardiff could have been inflicted a heavy defeat on Pool.

Steve McMahon said after the game that Cardiff were the best team that have played at Bloomfield Road this season, and on this evidence no-one will argue.

Blackpool 1-1 Cardiff

Hills 69... Gordon 70