Match ends, Blackpool 2, Southend United 2.
BlackpoolBlackpool2SouthendSouthend United2
Manager Terry McPhillips praised Blackpool's "magnificent" support as the club's fans celebrated the end of their near four-year boycott with a 96th-minute equaliser against Southend United.
Taylor Moore's own goal in the last minute of added time earned a draw for the Seasiders, playing their first home match since the removal of controversial owner Owen Oyston from the club last month.
A near sell-out crowd of 15,871 inside Bloomfield Road witnessed Blackpool twice come from behind to keep themselves in the race for the League One play-off places.
"It was reminiscent of the Bradford City game, when we came back to win 3-2, only this time there were loads of fans in here," McPhillips told BBC Radio Lancashire.
"I thought the crowd were magnificent - and I thought the players gave back to the crowd.
"The lads in our dressing never say die. It was an exciting end."
- Boycotting Blackpool supporters set for emotional return after Oyston exit
- 'I never thought I would watch Blackpool play again'
Southend took the lead early on when Rob Kiernan, who was making his first appearance since August 2017 after a long-term injury, headed home Sam Mantom's corner.
There were joyful scenes soon after, however, as Liam Feeney teed up Armand Gnanduillet to fire into the roof of the net to level.
Soon after the break, Southend were back on top after another Mantom corner was flicked home by Michael Turner - but the hosts were not to be denied.
Blackpool ensured a share of the points deep into added time as Moore deflected the ball into his own net, causing wild celebrations from the home support, with some running onto the pitch.
Line-ups
Blackpool
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Howard
- 20Turton
- 6Heneghan
- 16Tilt
- 3Wilmer-AndertonSubstituted forDanielsat 60'minutes
- 24Feeney
- 8Spearing
- 17Virtue-Thick
- 14PritchardSubstituted forLongat 60'minutesBooked at 76mins
- 21Gnanduillet
- 7DelfounesoSubstituted forThompsonat 81'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Daniels
- 5Evans
- 11Dodoo
- 13Boney
- 15Thompson
- 19Taylor
- 31Long
Southend
Formation 3-5-2
- 13Bishop
- 6Turner
- 26Lennon
- 15Kiernan
- 2Bwomono
- 8DiengBooked at 82mins
- 18MantomSubstituted forMooreat 84'minutes
- 4HyamBooked at 65mins
- 42Hart
- 34KelmanSubstituted forDemetriouat 73'minutesBooked at 66mins
- 10CoxBooked at 36minsSubstituted forBunnat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Kightly
- 16Yearwood
- 22Smith
- 23Moore
- 24Demetriou
- 29Wabo
- 30Bunn
- Referee:
- Chris Sarginson
- Attendance:
- 15,871
Match Stats
Home TeamBlackpoolAway TeamSouthend
- Possession
- Home61%
- Away39%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away5
- Corners
- Home11
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home5
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Blackpool 2, Southend United 2.
Goal!
Own Goal by Taylor Moore, Southend United. Blackpool 2, Southend United 2.
Post update
Foul by Oliver Turton (Blackpool).
Post update
Harry Bunn (Southend United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jordan Thompson (Blackpool) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Jay Spearing (Blackpool) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Luke Hyam (Southend United).
Substitution
Substitution, Southend United. Harry Bunn replaces Simon Cox.
Post update
Attempt saved. Simon Cox (Southend United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Southend United. Taylor Moore replaces Sam Mantom.
Post update
Corner, Blackpool. Conceded by Nathan Bishop.
Post update
Attempt saved. Oliver Turton (Blackpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.
Post update
Matthew Virtue-Thick (Blackpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Timothee Dieng (Southend United).
Substitution
Substitution, Blackpool. Jordan Thompson replaces Nathan Delfouneso.
Post update
Corner, Blackpool. Conceded by Luke Hyam.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Liam Feeney (Blackpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Booking
Chris Long (Blackpool) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution
Substitution, Southend United. Jason Demetriou replaces Charlie Kelman.
Comments
Join the conversation
Gives hope to the fans of other teams owned by absolute winkers.
We played them away a few years ago and it was strange playing in a near empty stadium.
The Blackpool fans have had their club dragged through the gutter and I’m thrilled that better days are around the corner.
Lovely to see their brilliant fans back at the ground today and I really hope they go up.
Up the tangerines!
Good riddance, and welcome back Blackpool.
time to sort this out EFL for the good of football
Well done Blackpool. Leeds fans know what it's like to have a leech as chairman - we had Ken Bates.
Good luck.
Too many owners/Chairmen in Soccer, with no interest in Footy, playing their games of money and power. Supporters First.
Fans Utd
Good luck for the future . BHAFC
Could you guys be planning sneaking up on us again?
All the Best.