Blackpool 2 Swindon 2

Last updated : 01 February 2004 By Tim
Swindon took a fairly large following up to the seaside to see Swindon play Steve McMahon's Blackpool. The Swindon fans were given an uncovered stand on the side.

Swindon's first chance came in the 10th minute when Steve Robinson was bought down on the edge of the box. Andy Gurney took the free kick and hit the bar. Robinson was taken off injured a minute later, to be replaced by new loan signing Sean O'Hanlon.

In the 14th minute the home side took the lead when Scott Taylor beat Reeves and Evans to score into an empty goal.

For the rest of the first half both sides came close, with Mat Heywood coming the closest for Swindon, but at half time the scores remained level at 1-0 to Blackpool.

Sam Parkin scored his 15th goal of the season with a header from an Igoe cross on 48 minutes to level the scores.

The Blackpool fans were not happy with the referee after he turned down two penalty appeals, much to the relief of the 607 fans who had travelled up from Swindon.

Blackpool moved into the lead on 64 minutes Tony Dinning's 25 yard shot looked to have been saved by Evans, only for the wet and muddy ball to slip out of his hands, and into the back of the net.

Blackpool were reduced to ten men when Wellens was sent off for a second yellow card after fouling Sammy Igoe. The referee also had to have words with Steve McMahon on the touch line, but didn't send him off as well, a slight that many of the Swindon fans would like to have seem.

On 83 minutes Andy Gurney made sure that Swindon would remain unbeaten for the whole of January with a goal from close range to level the scores at 2-2.

Overall a point was a fair result as both sides had chances to win it. The draw moves Swindon down a place in the table to 6th.

Swindon's next game is next Saturday at the County Ground at home to Rushden, who were the last team to beat Swindon when they played each other on Boxing Day.