Report: Oxford United 1-1 Blackpool

Blackpool found a 93rd minute equaliser to pick up a valuable point on the road to Oxford United.

Greg Leigh scored the only goal of the game and, despite creating chances to level in the second half, the Seasiders had to head home without a point. It looked as if the Seasiders would be left frustrated but Jordan Rhodes' added time header saw Blackpool earn a deserved point.

In a quiet opening to the game, Blackpool had their first venture forward through Owen Dale who saw his deflected cross bounce invitingly to Kylian Kouassi but his volley attempt was mistimed. Positive work from CJ Hamilton down the left flank almost provided another opening in the 17th minute as the winger's driven cross into a dangerous area was diverted clear.

Tashan Oakley-Boothe was booked in the 31st minute after a late challenge on Ruben Rodrigues in the middle of the pitch. From the resulting free kick, Greg Leigh's backpost run was matched by the delivery from Josh McEachran, but Leigh's header was safely held by Dan Grimshaw.

After openings were few and far between, Oxford opened the scoring with a flowing move inside the Blackpool half which eventually fell to Greg Leigh who finished past Grimshaw in the 37th minute as the Seasiders trailed at half-time.

HT: Oxford United 1-0 Blackpool

Kenny Dougall was booked early into the second half after a late challenge as Blackpool sought a way back into the game. The Seasiders patiently probed and a direct ball in behind saw Jordan Rhodes get a half yard to manouvere towards goal, but his eventual effort was tame after pressure from Elliott Moore.

Shayne Lavery replaced Kylian Kouassi on the hour mark as both sides continued to sound each other out in a cagey spell with the majority of the battle taking place in the middle of the park. Positive work from Jordan Rhodes down the right wing saw the forward deliver a teasing cross for substitute Lavery, but the Northern Irishman's header was off target.

Blackpool started to turn the screw as they found joy again down the right hand side to earn a corner which found the head of James Husband at the back post but his stretching effort couldn't be turned goalwards in the 71st minute. Owen Dale was booked for simulation in the 76th minute as the Seasiders continued to find territory in the Oxford final third.

Tashan Oakley-Boothe and Sonny Carey were taken off as Karamoko Dembele and Albie Morgan took their places in the final ten minutes with Blackpool searching for an equaliser.

The Seasiders were working consistent openings into dangerous areas, but Oxford defended their box well and cleared deliveries from CJ Hamilton and then Owen Dale in a matter of minutes. Shayne Lavery pounced on a loose back pass to work an angle to shift the ball across to Jordan Rhodes but his deft flick couldn't find the target.

Rhodes again got in behind the Oxford defence to fire towards goal but his effort was well saved by James Beadle as the Seasiders were left frustrated but that didn't last as an expert header from James Husband found Rhodes with space and his diving header sailed past Beadle to level the score in the 93rd minute and send Blackpool home with a valuable point.

FT: Oxford United 1-1 Blackpool