DESPITE a late equaliser, Pool shot themselves in the foot yet again as they allowed Bristol City to grab an even later winner.

It was another one of those Blackpool away games where it is almost unbelievable that Steve McMahon's men have come away empty handed and its something the Blackpool boss will need to address in future encounters away from Bloomfield Road.

Blackpool had started the brighter of the two sides and a left footed effort from Paul Simpson was very close to giving Blackpool an early lead at Ashton Gate. Both sides had strings of corners but all failed to produce any decent scoring opportunties.

City then had the best chances of the half and should have taken the lead when they were 3 on 2 in the Blackpool half, but Scott Murray failed to deliver the right ball.

Tommy Jaszczun then performed heroics to clear a Murray effort off the line when the City player should really have scored.

Ian Marshall was off the field for 10 minutes of the first half following a facial wound, but ironically it was only when the Seasiders had 11 men on the pitch that Danny Wilson's men took the lead.

A bad error from Danny Coid gave Tony Thorpe the easiest of goals as he went past Phil Barnes and slotted the ball in to the net.

Blackpool came out looking much brighter in the second half and got an early free kick which, like with many of their set pieces, was wasted by Richie Wellens.

It was Wellens who enjoyed the best chance for the Seasiders of the game when he was one on one with the keeper but he saw his effort saved by Mike Stowell. Brett Ormerod, who'd looked out of sorts for most of the game, made a magnificent run but instead of passing the ball to Martin Bullock who was unmarked he chose to have a shot. Wellens had another free kick but this time saw his shot go over the bar.

Martin Bullock and John O'Kane did well together but failed to beat Stowell and Ormerod struck the ball across the face of goal.

Then the breakthrough came when the Seasiders got a penalty Paul Simpson stepped up to score his first goal of the season. Just when you thought that the Seasiders had done enough, the defence went in to kamikaze mode when Scott Murray picked up a ball and beat Tommy Jaszczun before striking the ball past Phil Banes.

Having not created one decent chance in the second half, the winner was heartache for the Seasiders.

Steve McMahon said after the game he felt the side had been 'mugged'. He said it was a cruel game at times but he had to bite the bullet and the team's attitude and commitment was superb.

He also felt their goal was the result of a wicked deflection off John Hills. He said if he could get two or three more players then the side could achieve something - with Brett

Ormerod putting in a lacklustre performance, it makes you wonder if this is a player who knows he's on the way.

He may well get those players with money he could potentially receive for the striker if a deal goes through.

RESULT: Bristol City ...2

Thorpe (45), Murray (90)

Blackpool... 1

Simpson (84)