Colin Hendry was forced into two changes in his side from the eleven that was beaten at Bloomfield Road seven days earlier. The changes saw Mark McGregor coming in to replace John Doolan whilst Tommy Wright made his first start for the club in place of the ill Scott Vernon.
After a lively start to the game, Simon Wiles almost gave the Seasiders an early lead. The young winger did superbly, carrying the ball forward before unleashing a drive from 25 yards that rattled the post.
It took until the 20th minute before any more real action occurred and it was Steven Gillespie who almost gave Bristol the lead, the former Liverpool striker shooting straight at Les Pogliacomi after a Rob Edwards slip let the forward in on goal. As the rebound broke loose, Marcus Stewart dived in on Peter Clarke, the referee awarded a free kick and booked the former Sunderland striker.
Blackpool's skipper seemed to have upset Bristol forward line as moments later Steven Gillespie was booked for a foul on Clarke on the half way line.
In a scrappy period of the game, Clarke sought some retribution with a strong sliding tackle on the half way line, this time it was Clarkies turn to have his name taken by Mr Melin.
This report appears to have turned into 'Ref Watch' but when the man in black is centre stage, its hard not to avoid it. The referee again had his book out on 35 minutes when Scott Murray was booked for stopping Donnelly from taking a throw in.
Sorry to mention the football, but in between the 'Mr Melin Show' Keith Southern had a header saved from a Mark McGregor cross. The midfielder rising well at the back post, only for his header to go straight at Steve Phillips.
Tommy Wright became the latest to get booked on 37 minutes when he was cautioned for mistiming a challenge on Bristol's keeper Phillips.
Despite a great start to his Pool career, Les Pogliacomi was almost embarrassed on 40 minutes when Bristol striker Steven Gillespie attempted to chip him from the half way line. Luckily for the Seasiders, the strike went just wide.
Pool's liveliest player was again Simon Wiles. The youngster went on a fantastic mazy run on the stroke of half time, he then reversed the ball into the path of striker Tommy Wright whose shot was deflected wide.
Half Time: Bristol City 0 Blackpool 0
The Seasiders started the second half kicking towards their 288 vocal travelling fans, many of whom seemed to have been at the club shop yesterday to take advantage of the new batch of home shirts.
It took less than five minutes for the referee to get back on centre stage, Tony Butler becoming the 6th name in the book after a foul on the half way line.
Les Pogliacomi was forced into action on 57 minutes when Peter Clarke headed a ball towards his own goal, luckily for the skipper Big Les was alert and was able to make a good save.
Straight from the clearance Keigan Parker did well down the left before crossing towards Wiles whose shot fired wide.
On 62 minutes Tommy Wright showed his confidence with an audacious effort from 35 yards. The striker shot, on the turn, and was unlucky not to give the Seasiders the lead.
Bradley Orr forced the best out of Pogliacomi in the Pool goal when he got in behind Ciaran Donnelly to strike towards goal. The big Aussie stopper made himself big at the near post and tipped wide of the post.
Colin Hendry made his first substitution of the day on 72 minutes when Keigan Parker made way for Matthew Blinkhorn. The young striker getting a chance after some excellent games in Pool's reserve side.
On 79 minutes Rory Prendergast came on to replace Simon Wiles, the move saw Prendergast going to the left wing with Donnelly switching to the right.
With only 6 minutes remaining Bristol were gifted what looked to be a winner when hesitant defending from Mark McGregor allowed Marcus Stewart to cross the ball to the unmarked Dave Cotterill who slotted the ball home into the empty net to give Bristol the lead.
Just as it looked like the Seasiders would be making the long journey home empty handed, Matthew Blinkhorn popped up in the box to head home and give the Seasiders a well earned point. The striker swooped to head home after Rory Prendergast's corner was flicked on by Rob Edwards at the near post.
Attendance: 9574 (288 from Blackpool)
Bristol City: Phillips, Carey, Heywood (Orr 50), Partridge, Woodman, Murray (Cotterill 68), Skuse, Brown, Smith, Stewart, Gillespie Subs Not Used: Bridges, Wilkshire, Burch.
Blackpool: Pogliacomi, Grayson, McGregor, Butler, Clarke, Edwards, Wiles (Prendergast 78), Southern, Donnelly, Parker (Blinkhorn 72), Wright. Subs Not Used: Jones, Doolan, Burns.
