The Seasiders reserve team returned to action for the first time in 2007 on Wednesday afternoon when they travelled across Lancashire to Boundary Park to take on top of the table Oldham Athletic.

Steve Thompson was boosted by the return of Marc Joseph and Danny Coid who had both been sidelined through injury since October, Joseph began at right back whilst Coid was named as a substitute. Thompson was also able to call upon Gareth Farrelly, Marcus Bean and Lewis Edge, Oldham on the other hand named a strong looking line up including two trialists and Chris Hall who came off the bench on Saturday for the first team and netted the equaliser in Oldham's FA Cup draw at Wolves.

The players were greeted by a torrential down pour at kick off much to the amusement of Pool's Latvian international defender Kaspars Gorkss who commented he had never seen such changing weather.

Both teams struggled to come to terms in the opening half but it was the hosts who came the closest to opening the scoring in the opening period, trialist striker Kris Watt came close on three separate occasions, the best chance for the Seasiders fell to Dax Hoogerwurf who found himself clean through just before the break, the trialist striker made a mess of an attempted square ball - the ball rolling straight to the keeper.

The interval saw Danny Coid introduced at left back in place of Phil Doran, Coid was soon in the action and the versatile Scouser saw a surging run come to an abrupt end by French midfielder Dabo.

Both teams were trying to play some neat football on a heavy surface and it was the hosts who opened the scoring, a long ball over the top found Watt and the trialist executed a cool finish past the advancing Lewis Edge.

The Seasiders were denied an equaliser by a fine save from Terry Smith, Marc Joseph stepped away from his marker at the back post to meet a free-kick from the left with a powerful header back across goal, but the stopper flung himself to his right to turn the ball behind for a corner. Smith also did well to stop a powerful free-kick from Gareth Farrelly, but the Northern Ireland youth international could do nothing nine minutes from time when he was beaten by Dax Hoogerwurf who fired home from close range following some neat play involving Farrelly and the impressive Matty Kay.

Both teams had chances to nick the points before the final whistle, but a draw was probably the fairest result.

Speaking after the game Steve Thompson said, "The conditions were far from brilliant, but the lads showed a great attitude and desire. Matty Kay, Beany worked their socks off in the middle of the park which was pleasing. It was good to see Marc Joseph and Coidy back in action, MJ was tiring a bit towards the end but you could not fault his effort or commitment. We will have to see if there is any reaction in the morning."

Pool: Lewis EDGE, Marc JOSEPH (Scott Metcalfe 79), Phil DORAN (Danny COID 45), Phil DOUGHTY, Matt LAWLOR, Matt KAY, Alex SMITH (Dane Matthews 55), Dax HOOGERWURF, Liam CADDICK, Marcus BEAN, Gareth FARRELLY.

Subs Not Used: Kyle CLANCY, Matthew OGDEN.

Oldham: Terry SMITH, Kelvin LOMAX (C), Paul BLACK, Moussa DABO (Chris Baguley 46), Mike PEARSON, Chris LEVER, Deane SMALLEY, David BRYAN, Chris HALL (Matty Barlow 58), Kris WATT, Matty WOLFENDEN (Shaun Beeley 36).