After a hectic international break at Crystal Palace we see a new manager in charge for this encounter as Neil Warnock takes his new side to the seaside. Blackpool come into this game with an excellent unbeaten home record after their promotion last season through the play offs and a large number of Palace fans have made the trip to see day one of this new era at their club.

The new boss decided to partner Dougie Freedman and James Scowcroft in attack and David Martin came in for his first league start on the left hand side of midfield.

Palace started as bright as the autumn sunshine with Freedman putting an early chance over the bar from just inside the box and Leon Cort heading just wide from the visitors second corner of the afternoon.

On eleven minutes Martin did well on the left as he provided a perfect cross for Scowcroft but the header was just over Paul Rachubka's bar as Warnock's side certainly held the early advantage if not shown in the scoreline.

It was not until 16 minutes that the home side had their first chance on goal as a Stephen Crainey's free kick was cleared but the cross came back in and Shaun Barker headed over as Julian Speroni watched the effort go over his bar.

Palace had already created eight corners in the first half an hour and the last one of those nearly saw the deadlock broken. Watson's set piece found Scowcroft but he was unable to get the close range header on target and the keeper was relieved to see the chance go over his crossbar.

The first half came to a close with the home side having their best spell of the game but never really troubled Speroni and the interval came with Warnock having witnessed a good first half for his side in game number one.

The start of the second half saw Martin show how dangerous he can be with his pace as he left a couple of defenders behind before letting a fierce shot go from the edge of the box which went just wide of the target.

Blackpool showed their intentions as well at the other end as Keith Southern shot with power which went wide of Speroni's goal and a minute later the 'keeper saved well from a close range Barker effort.

Palace made the breakthrough through Tom Soares as he fired home past the 'Pool keeper from close range after Scowcroft had headed a right wing cross from Danny Butterfield across goal and the midfielder was on hand to put his side ahead on 59 minutes.   

The sides were soon back level as the side who hold that unbeaten record equalised on 64 minutes when David Fox converted as the ball fell to him after Stephen Crainey's free kick was blocked by the Palace defensive wall. 

The boss made his first change of the afternoon as Matt Lawrence was introduced to the game in a midfield role replacing Freedman with 20 minutes of the match remaining.

Both sides in this period of the game could see that was a chance to take all the points as the game became very open.  Mark Hudson had a chance in front of goal from a Watson free kick but the keeper saved and at the other end Keigan Parker saw his effort from 25 yards hit the woodwork and go wide.

Palace had a let off on 80 minutes when the defence managed to scramble clear chances from Andy Welsh and Parker as the home fans help raise the atmosphere with their side finishing the game in dangerous fashion.   

The visitors were reduced to ten men with just two minutes of normal time remaining when referee Graham Laws showed Tom Soares a straight red card after his own side had been awarded a free kick so one can only assume for an off the ball incident.

In injury time Lawrence had a goal bound effort blocked as Palace tried to grab all three points but the game ended all square which both sides will be looking back on at opportunites which got away.

Even though they held the lead in the second half Warnock's side will be happy to be leaving Bloomfield Road with a point bearing in mind the Seasiders proud home record.

Teams

Blackpool Rachubka, Barker, Gorkss, Michael Jackson, Crainey,Taylor-Fletcher (Welsh 64), Fox (Flynn 79), Southern, Hoolahan,Parker, Vernon.

Subs Not Used: Coid, Jorgensen, Matt Jackson.

Booked: Barker.

Crystal Palace Speroni, Butterfield, Cort, Hudson, Craig,Soares, Fletcher, Watson (Morrison 90), Martin (Dickov 83),Scowcroft, Freedman (Lawrence 70).

Subs Not Used: Green, Hughes.

Sent Off: Soares (88).

Booked: Craig.

.Att: 9,037   Referee: Graham Laws (Tyne & Wear).