VETERAN goalkeeper John Burridge returned to the club where he made his name 27 years ago and nearly pulled off the shock of the day on Saturday (November15).

The 45-year-old eccentric player/manager of Blyth Spartans was just six seconds away from forcing the Seasiders to replay this FA Cup round one tie in the North East.

But in the 89th minute Phil Clarkson notched his second of the afternoon to send the Unibond Premier side home broken-hearted.

Burridge said after the game: "It was great to come back to Bloomfield Road and come so close to victory.

"I got such a great reception from both sets of fans - we've had a wonderful day and I couldn't have asked any more from our lads."

When Andy Preece put Blackpool in front after just four minutes with a near post header the home fans were thinking of a double figure scoreline.

But the part-timers were level within just six minutes, when Damian Henderson drove the ball under Steve Banks from ten yards.

Blackpool had their chances to go back in front - Preece wasted a good opportunity to chip Burridge but his effort was wide and high.

A minute before the break Gustavo Di Lella set Bloomfield Road alight with a wonder goal to put the non-league side ahead.

The unknown Argentinian jinked his way through the Blackpool defence before unleashing a 25-yard strike into the top left hand corner, giving Banks no chance. The Seasiders piled on the pressure after the interval and equalised on 59 minutes through Dave Linighan's far post header.

Clarkson volleyed Pool ahead on 71 minutes and you'd have been forgiven for thinking that the Spartans were finished.

Six minutes from time substitute Jon Atkinson headed an equaliser to send the 1,000 strong army of travelling fans dreaming of a replay.

But in the 89th minute Brett Ormerod flicked on Mark Bonner's long throw and Clarkson was at the far post to seal the tie, 4-3 to Blackpool.

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