Blackpool 2 Swindon Town 2

Last updated : 31 January 2004 By Footymad Previewer

The Robins twice came from behind to grab a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

Although referee Lee Mason took centre stage in an exciting game with the controversial second half dismissal of Blackpool captain Richie Wellens.

Swindon extended their unbeaten run to six games, although their second equaliser came after Wellens had been dismissed for his second booking following a foul on Swindon winger Sammy Igoe.

The decision left Blackpool and ex-Swindon Town boss Steve McMahon and the home crowd seething as they felt Igoe had made the most of minimal contact.

The sending off gave the visitors just the lift they needed and Andrew Gurney popped up with six minutes remaining to earn a priceless point in his team’s play-off chase.

The game had been eventful throughout with chances at both ends in constant driving rain.

Blackpool's leading scorer Scott Taylor put the home side ahead with a neat finish just inside the box for his 25th goal of the season with a quarter of an hour gone.

However, Taylor missed an even easier chance soon after, while Mike Flynn headed wide just after the half hour before Martin Bullock ballooned a glorious chance over the bar just before half-time.

For the visitors, Gurney hit the bar with a free-kick from 20 yards, however, they had to wait until after the break for their first goal when leading scorer Sam Parkin headed home an Igoe cross just after the re-start for his 15th goal of the season.

On-loan midfielder Tony Dinning fired the home side back in front with a 30-yard effort in the 64th minute which took a horrendous bobble in front of keeper Rhys Evans.

Then came the controversial dismissal three minutes later which handed the initiative back to the visitors.

Not surprisingly both managers' opinions on the sending off differed.

Pool boss McMahon lambasted the inept refereeing.

"It was never a sending off in a million years," he said. "The referee had lost the plot early on and if anything he looked as though he wanted to send someone off throughout the game.

"It was down right bad refereeing." His opposite number Andy King, however, thought the second booking was justified.

"I have no arguments with the sending off. It gave us an opportunity after looking an uphill task after their second goal. We battled well and deserved at least a point."