Lincoln 1, Blackpool 1

Scorers, Gavin Gordon (Lincoln), John Murphy (Pool)

POOL stopped their losing streak with a dull 1-1 draw at Lincoln. John Murphy's sixth goal of the season gained them a point after Lincoln had gone ahead before the break.

Although on paper this was a poor result for Pool, Steve McMahon will be pleased to have stopped Blackpool plunge towards the bottom.

The Seasiders were boosted before the game with Lee Collins fit to return to the side replacing Phil Clarkson in midfield.

Apart from Collins, there were no changes to the Seasiders lineup which lost to Brighton on Tuesday.

The home side started well with a few half chances in the opening 10 minutes. Blackpool's first sight at goal came on 13 minutes when Paul Simpson struck the ball towards goal only to see it land firmly in the hands of Imps keeper Andy Marriot. And by 25 minutes Blackpool had turned the game around and began to look the more likely team to score with Brett Ormerod shooting just over the bar.

Minutes later Collins had his first taste of goal with a low drive but once again the keeper saved well.

But just as Blackpool started to look as though they might command this game, Lincoln replied with the three corners in a row. And five minutes later a cross from Paul Mayo found Gavin Gordon who nodded the ball over Barnes -- another error by the Seasiders No 1.

Lee Collins played through Ormerod but he failed to control and the chance went away. A better control from Ormerod would have presented him with a easy chance to level the score. And so Blackpool went into the dressing rooms at half time a goal down.

Within five minutes of the restart Ormerod crossed and John Murphy scrambled the ball home to level the scores at 1-1. Immediately after kick off, Brett Ormerod presented Murphy with a chance to put Pool ahead after he had gone on a fabulous individual run. But his ball to Murphy was just behind him and gave Lincoln the chance to clear. Eventually Lincoln found themselves getting back into the game. Lincoln forward Tony Battersby was denied by the post after a curling shot outside the box on 54 minutes.

On 67 minutes Pool were denied a third penalty appeal in as many matches. This time Murphy wriggled his way into the box only to be hacked down by Steve Holmes. McMahon was furious with the decision as was Simpson who was booked for dissent.

With seven minutes to go Blackpool looked to steal the win when Brett Ormerod took on two defenders to present himself one and one with the keeper. But instead of slotting it past Marriot he took him on and although he succeeded past the keeper he was denied a shooting opportunity by a last gasp tackle. And that was Blackpool's last chance before the whistle was blown after four minutes of stoppage time.

With only a point taken from the game Blackpool slumped to 23rd in the league, only three points ahead of bottom team Halifax.

Team: Phil Barnes, Tommy Jaszczun, Andy Morrison, Ian Hughes, Danny Coid, Steve Bushell, Richard Wellens, Lee Collins, Paul Simpson, Brett Ormerod, John Murphy