POOL succeeded in holding Athletic Bilbao to a draw at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday, thanks to goals from Brian Reid and John Murphy.

The Spanish giants had already disposed of Division One outfits Bolton and West Brom but failed to conquer an impressive Seasiders line-up.

With the new season only days away, Steve McMahon made the expected decision to field a full strength line-up against the Spaniards. Phil Barnes retained his place in goal and John O'Kane and Neil Mackenzie made their respective home debuts at centre back and in midfield.

Bilbao also had a strong line-up, although it has to be said it wasn't their most impressive, with many internationals absent.

The game itself was always going to be of a slow tempo with the Spaniards famous for a patient, possession-based style of play.

Bilbao showed why they are in top flight Spanish football with some neat interplay which usually resulted in a shot at goal that Pool keeper Phil Barnes only just managed to keep out. So it was no surprise when the visitors took the lead halfway through the first half.

After Del Horno had dragged Barnes out of his goal, teammate Alkiza Fernandez had the easy job of stroking the ball into an empty net, despite a valiant effort from Brian Reid to deflect the ball away.

But Blackpool were not without their moments in the first half. New boys John O'Kane and Neil Mackenzie both showed the ability to move forward with the ball, and Richie Wellens delighted the capacity crowd with one or two dazzling runs through the heart of the Bilbao midfield.

But Blackpool never really penetrated and for that reason went in a goal down at half time.

Steve McMahon brought on the two trialists, James Pullen and Martin Bullock, after the interval. Pullen, on trail from Ipswich, replaced Barnes in goal and midfielder Bullock, from Barnsley, took over from Neil Mackenzie.

The changes had an immediate effect with the Seasiders equalising just three minutes into the second half. A long cross from the left side found Brian Reid at the back post and he looped the ball beyond the Spanish keeper and into the net. It was very much like the goal he grabbed in the play-off final at Cardiff.

However, with 20 minutes left, Bilbao regained the lead thanks to striker Del Horno who fired in off the post after a spell of Bilbao pressure.

With the score at 2-1, Steve McMahon made several changes in an effort to give all his players a run-out before the start of the season. Jamie Milligan, Tommy Jaszczun and Phil Clarkson all came on for the last 15 minutes, replacing Paul Simpson, Richie Wellens and Brett Ormerod.

As they did after the first string of substitutions, the changes seemed to inspire the Seasiders and with 10 minutes remaining they were level again.

Trialist Martin Bullock laid off to Gary Parkinson who in turn crossed long to the back post where John Murphy was first to meet the ball and loop home a header.

Questions could be asked about the lack of 100% commitment by the Spaniards, but overall it was a good work-out for Pool.

With the new stands clearly visible and a near capacity crowd there is new optimism at the club.

Steve McMahon, in particular, will be hoping that the heroics of Cardiff will spill over into the new season as he prepares his side for a tough opening league game against the Royals of Reading at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

Reading finished third in Division Two last season and then lost in the play-off semi-final, so they will provide a searching test of the Seasiders' potential.

Blackpool 2 Athletic Bilbao 2

Scorers: Reid 48,

Murphy 80

Scorers: Fernandez 38,

Del Horno 67