NORWICH CITY 3, BLACKPOOL 3

WORTHINGTON CUP - Second Round, first leg

Tuesday, September 19 at Carrow Road

JOHN MURPHY threw battling Blackpool a Worthington Cup lifeline in this six-goal second round thriller.

First Division Norwich looked to be cruising to a comfortable first leg home victory when they led 3-1 but after Brett Ormerod pulled a goal back a minute before half-time Murphy pounced four minutes from the whistle to give the Seasiders a deserved draw.

A debatable penalty saw Iwan Roberts give Norwich a 22nd minute lead but mighty Murphy equalised four minutes later.

Evergreen Tony Cottee restored Norwich's lead and Lee Marshall netted for the home side,too, before Blackpool launched their gritty fightback.

Blackpool's three away goals mean that a low-scoring draw in the return leg at Bloomfield Road would be enough to put them into the third round.

Said proud boss Steve McMahon: "This win will do our confidence a power of good. It was very satisfying after our poor League start."

The only sour note was an ugly brawl between 19 players as Blackpool played out time.