CARDIFF CITY were yet again forced to rue missed opportunities, dwell again on a defensive error and accept another draw - their 6th in 10 Championship games - as Blackpool grabbed an injury time equaliser in a 1-1 draw, after City appeared to have taken all points when Paul Parry gave them a deserved on 83 minutes.
However in a hugely congested division, it was enough to see City enter the play-off positions in 6th place as most sides below Cardiff drew or lost.
1,000 City fans made the trip to Blackpool hoping to see City provide the illuminations and get on a winning run following the midweek victory over Coventry. They were rewarded for their efforts by getting soaked facing the elements in an open section on a typical seaside Autumn windy, rainy day. That support was excellent given an unhealthy kick-off time of 12:30 on police advice (what was their problem?) but it affected the home side most as the attendance of 7,328 was over 1,000 down on their usual crowds.
City played the same eleven who started and finished the midweek home win over Coventry - no surprises there - so it was Heaton, McNaughton-Roger Johnson-Purse-Kennedy, Whittingham-McPhail-Rae-Ledley, Bothroyd-McCormack.
Blackpool were 2 points and 7 paces behind City pre-game but had a great week with a shock away win at Birmingham followed by a draw at QPR and fielded a fluid 4-3-3 system with Rachubka, Barker-Edwards-Evatt-Camara, Taylor-Fletcher -Southern-Vaughan, Kabba-Burgess-Hammill.
The opening half hour is best described as unremarkable but Cardiff showed their deficiencies and problems up front once more by then creating several chances but wasting them and, in fact, not even giving the Blackpool keeper a save to make. Joe Ledley (twice) and Jay Bothroyd fired over in front of goal while their better build up and midfield play carved other openings that weren't taken.
It also turned out to be the story of the second half with City now dominating play but they could not create the chances although Purse was just wide, Bothroyd was denied a penalty, McCormack fired over and shots were blocked.
City lost McNaughton for the 2nd half with Comminges replacing him then Joe Ledley with a groin strain but PAUL PARRY replaced him and sent us wild as he scored with his first touch with a sweeping end to end of the pitch move, finishing with a sweet placed low effort with 7 minutes to go.
In that move, Steve McPhail became the 3rd City player to go off injured giving Eddie Johnson late game time. These injuries created 5 minutes added time which City seemed to be playing otu with few problems until Tom Heaton kicked poorly in the last minute, Blackpool swept back to goal and the ball found sub ALAN GOW who, unchallenged, was allowed to bring the ball down and have a free hit on goal which he fired home. City players were visibly stunned but had only themselves to blame for not putting the game safely to bed.
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