Colne fight back to earn a draw at AFC Blackpool

The Reds trailed by a single goal at half time but fought back to level the scores early in the second half and came close in the closing stages.

Colne started brightly with some promising attacks and Barney Wiggin fired just wide of the home goal after George Chmiel had created the opening with a good run and a cross from the right wing after seven minutes.

Five minutes later, Wiggin went clear of the home defence and went to ground as home keeper Harry Ashcroft dived at his feet in the penalty area.

The referee initially awarded a penalty to Colne but then changed his decision after consulting a linesman who confirmed the keeper had made a fair challenge to claim the ball.

The Reds continued to attack and Jamie Walker fired a shot just over the bar after cutting in from the left wing.

But at the other end, Blackpool created a series of half chances with Blessing Igharo causing problems for the Colne defence and on the half hour it was Igharo who cut in from the left wing going past the stranded Harry Turner and fired into the empty net to give Blackpool the lead.

Colne looked for a reply as Luke Stowe's cross was punched away by Ashcroft before Jack Banks' goal-bound shot was blocked in the home area.

But Blackpool maintained their lead at half time.

The Reds pushed forward in the second half but needed to defend as Blackpool looked dangerous with Igharo forcing a good save from Turner to block his shot at the near post and Aaron Smith sending a far post header just over the bar from a long high cross.

But Colne forced an equaliser on the hour when Chmiel found room on the byeline and his low cross was blasted in off the underside of the bar by Wiggin on the edge of the area.

The Reds continued to create chances with Josh Warne providing good crosses into the home goalmouth but the Blackpool defence coped well with good defensive headers under pressure.

At the other end, Blackpool threatened with a series of high crosses from the left wing and only a goal-line clearance by Ben Horne prevented a goal after 80 minutes.

But in the closing stages, Colne created a series of half chances as Harry Lynn had shots blocked in the home area and Josh Talks' shot flew over the bar from a good opening.

But the Reds had to settle for a point in a game in which their opponents competed well throughout and proved difficult to break down.