Blackpool fought back from two goals down in a remarkable penalty shootout finish to draw 2-2 with Crewe Alexandra in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday. The Seasiders scored four times from the spot between the 92nd and 96th minutes in a frantic finale at Bloomfield Road.
Albie Morgan had earlier scored twice to turn the game around after Jordan Gibson's opener for Crewe. Charlie McNeill then scored two penalties of his own for the visitors to seemingly win it, before the late spot-kick drama unfolded. Jerry Yates, Dale Taylor, Leighton Clarkson and Finley Munroe all converted for Blackpool, with Crewe's Finn Roberts also scoring in the same period.
How the game unfolded
Crewe took the lead after half an hour through Jordan Gibson. Blackpool responded immediately after the restart, with Morgan scoring in the 46th minute from Tom Bloxham's pass. Morgan struck again eight minutes later, this time assisted by Oliver Casey, to put the home side ahead.
The game turned on a series of penalties in the final quarter. Charlie McNeill levelled for Crewe from the spot in the 80th minute. He then put them back in front with another penalty in the 91st minute. What followed was an extraordinary sequence. Yates scored for Blackpool a minute later, Taylor did the same in the 93rd, Clarkson netted in the 95th, Roberts replied instantly for Crewe, and Munroe had the final say from twelve yards in the 96th minute. Crewe's Adrien Thibaut and Stan Dancey both missed penalties in the same spell.
Blackpool dominated possession with 54 percent and created 22 shots to Crewe's nine. The result leaves Ian Evatt's side 15th in the League One standings with eight points from seven games. Their recent form shows two draws and three losses from the last five outings. The team will now look to improve that record when they travel to face Cambridge United this Saturday in their next League One fixtures. Key contributors from the comeback, including Jerry Yates and Leighton Clarkson, will be hoping to feature again from the squad as Blackpool seek a key league win.
