The Seasiders hit 50 points on Saturday with a point at play-off chasing Crystal Palace and few would have complained if the Seasiders had returned home with the three points as once again Pool gave a more than creditable display against their "high profile" free spending opponents.
Simon Grayson resisting the temptation to throw Paul Dickov straight back into the starting line up or to hand Grant Holt his full Pool debut named an unchanged starting eleven for the Seasiders trip to Selhurst Park. The loan duo were joined on the bench by Andy Morrell, Danny Coid and David Fox.
Palace got things underway on a horrible wet and windy afternoon and for a team pushing for the play-offs the Palace supporters were unusually quiet in the opening ten minutes, mainly due to the fact that Pool never let the Eagles have any time on the ball with the Seasiders were throwing themselves into every challenge at every opportunity. The home fans along with Neil Warnock suddenly came to life on 13 minutes when their claims for a penalty were waved away by referee Anthony Taylor, the Manchester based official was well placed to see Ian Evatt's shoulder charge on Clinton Morrison who went to ground like he had been shot, Warnock berated the fourth official in his usual animated style.
A minute later Pool forced their first corner of the afternoon, but unfortunately Wes Hoolahan's set play failed to test the Eagles defence.
Pool should have taken the lead on 21 minutes, Gary Taylor-Fletcher found himself inside the area and his snap shot was parried back out to Ben Burgess by Speroni, Burgess then dummied Hudson who ended up on his backside but the big striker who had caused the Palace defence problems in the opening stages failed to hit the target and Palace cleared.
Michael Flynn saw a long range free kick ricochet out for a corner on 20 minutes, and Hoolahan's resulting corner caused the Palace defence all kinds of problems and the ball eventually fell to Ian Evatt who saw a low shot saved by Speroni. Evatt who said before the game he was due to score came close a minute later when he headed another teasing Hoolahan corner inches over the bar.
The dogged approach from Simon Grayson's men was beginning to frustrate the Palace faithful and on 31 minutes Wes Hoolahan seized on sloppy piece of Palace play to crash a shot just over from 25 yards.
Pool were denied the lead on 33 minutes when Speroni produced a fine save to deny Stephen McPhee who had timed his run to perfection to find himself through on goal, the Argentinean made himself big and blocked the live wire strikers shot, Speroni then reacted quickly to collect the ball with Ben Burgess almost beating him to the ball.
Palace had another appeal for a penalty turned down on 37 minutes when Scott Sinclair went to ground under a challenge from Ian Evatt, once again the referee was well placed and this time the official showed Sinclair the yellow card for simulation, Palace then tried to throw their weight about in the ensuing melee which resulted in Ian Evatt and Tom Soares picking up yellow cards.
On the stroke of half time Claus Jorgensen had a great chance to send Pool in at the break with a one goal advantage, the Faroe Island international volleyed just over following a great pull back from Gary Taylor-Fletcher.
Half Time Crystal Palace 0 Blackpool 0
In a bid to change their fortunes, Palace manager Neil Warnock made a double change at full time with debutant Kyle Reid replacing James Scowcroft and Jose Fonte replacing Matt Lawrence, the changes had the desired effect with the hosts bossing the opening ten minutes of the second period
Shaun Derry was lucky not to have been shown the red card on the hour, Stephen McPhee had been sent scampering clear by a great ball from Wes Hoolahan only to see his run come to an abrupt end thanks to a late challenge by the former Leeds man,it could have been argued that the Palace midfielder was the last man but the referee adjudged a yellow to be sufficient.
Midway through the second half Pool were almost gifted the lead when Speroni spilled a teasing cross from the left unfortunately for Pool the keeper reacted quickly to make amend his mistake.
With 17 minutes remaining Neil Warnock made his final change of the afternoon when Ashley Robinson replaced Tom Soares.
Pool were content to soak up the pressure and hit Palace on the counter attack with the right flank being particularly successful on three occasions Pool cut open the Palace defence, but lacked that killer instinct in front of goal.
Pool made a double change with ten minutes remaining with Ben Burgess and Gary Taylor-Fletcher giving way to Paul Dickov and Grant Holt, the change saw the two substitutes take the two centre forward berths with Stephen McPhee switching to outside right.
With two minutes remaining Speroni denied the Seasiders once again when he got a finger tip to push Wes Hoolahan's finish behind for a corner, the diminutive Irishman had robbed Palace skipper inside the box then turned his man before trying to chip the advancing keeper.
In stoppage time Danny Coid replaced Stephen McPhee as Pool made sure they returned home with a more than deserved point.
POOL (4-4-2): Rachubka, Barker, Evatt, Gorkss, Crainey, Taylor-Fletcher (Dickov 80), Flynn, Jorgensen, Hoolahan, Burgess (Holt 80), McPhee (Coid 90) Subs Not Used Morrell, Fox
PALACE (4-3-3): Speroni, Butterfield, Lawrence (Fonte 45), Hudson, Ashton, Derry, Soares (Robisnon 73), Watson, Morrison, Scowcroft (Reid 45), Sinclair Subs Not Used: Fletcher, Scannell
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Manchester)
Attendance: 16,028 (976 Pool)
