Cardiff City 1 Blackpool 1
SEASIDERS substitute John Murphy sickened a packed Ninian Park when his last gasp header earned Blackpool an unlikely point, writes Ian Chisnall of BBC Radio Lancashire.
Cardiff, due to be millionaire Sam Hamman's new toy, thought Kevin Nugent's 36th minute strike was enough to reward the near capacity crowd with maximum points.
But Murphy, for the second successive week, came off the bench to stoop low and head home the ever impressive Danny Coid's left wing cross with the last touch of the game.
Prior to the equaliser, almost 11,000 people, young and old, had responded to the new owner's hype with an incessant chant of 'Barmy Army.'
As Murphy's header hit the net the silence was deafening.
"I honestly thought it was a fair result," declared Pool boss Steve McMahon. "OK we never really looked like scoring but in open play neither did they. We passed it better, but lacked composure and seemed to do everything at 100 miles an hour.
"With all that's going on at this club, we'd have taken a point before kick off, so I'm well pleased."
Former Seasiders boss Billy Ayre was probably in charge of Cardiff for the last time, with Bobby Gould set to be installed by new owner Hamman.
He said: "I can't remember our goalkeeper having a single shot to save in the whole of the 90 minutes. To concede in stoppage time was devastating."
Blackpool were forced to make one change from the side victorious against Hull.
Midfielder Lee Collins tweaked a hamstring in training and so Tommy Jaszczun returned at left back, with Danny Coid moving up to midfield. Cardiff's front men Kevin Nugent and Paul Brayson caused problems from the start and it was no surprise when they combined to carve Poll open on 36 minutes.
Brayon eluded young Stephen Hawe on the right to make tracks into the penalty area, and when he found Nugent, the big man stroked it past Tony Caig from eight yards. Brayson and Josh Low could have put the game beyond Blackpool before the break as Cardiff held the upper hand.
Steve McMahon replaced Hawe with Eifion Jones at half time and the rugged defender helped Ian Hughes to tame the home threat.
But despite neat approach work, the Seasiders only attempt at goal was Brett Ormerod's effort on the hour, blocked by David Greene.
Greene was booked along with Pool's Jaszczun, Bushell, and Neil Murphy before a decisive change.
John Murphy and Phil Clarkson replaced Newell and Milligan, and immediately the Tangerines looked more potent.
But with the 90 minutes up and the fanatical crowd baying for the final whistle, Steve Bushell led one last raid up a congested middle.
The ball was switched left, and when Coid measured the cross, big Murphy dived to head home from 12 yards.
Joy for the travelling Seasiders........Sam Hamman's party had been well and truly pooped!
Team: Caig, Neil Murphy, Hughes, Hawe, Jaszczun, Coid, Milligan, Bushell, Simpson, Newell, Ormerod. Subs: Barnes, Nowland Jones (Hawe) Clarkson (Milligan) John Murphy (Newell)
Goal John Murphy (90)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article