Wolves pegged back by late Edwards equaliser

Blackpool 2 Wolverhampton

Rob Edwards grabbed a late equaliser as managerless Blackpool held the Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers to a draw at Bloomfield Road last night.

Matt Jarvis's 70th-minute goal looked likely to be the winner for Mick McCarthy's men, after Gary Taylor-Fletcher had cancelled out Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's penalty in an entertaining first half. However, Blackpool refused to give in and snatched a share of the spoils when Edwards scored from close range with six minutes remaining. The point was no more than the Seasiders deserved following a spirited display in which they more than matched Wolves.

The Black Country side end 2008 with a seven-point advantage at the top of the table, but McCarthy warned they must remain focussed if they are to achieve their goal of automatic promotion. "We can't win them all," he said. "But we're unbeaten over Christmas and that's good. It's a tough old league. I always believe the target for promotion is 92 points, but all we can do is make sure we get our own tally of points."

Wolves took the lead after just four minutes. Edwards hauled down Chris Iwelumo in the area as the striker looked to turn and Ebanks-Blake made no mistake with the spot-kick, sending Paul Rachubka the wrong way. Blackpool responded well and equalised in the 10th minute. Shaun Barker's long throw from the right was flicked on by Ian Evatt and Taylor-Fletcher sneaked in at the far post to divert the ball past Wayne Hennessey.

Sam Vokes replaced Iwelumo after 68 minutes as McCarthy looked to freshen up his forward line, and Wolves went back in front moments later as a perfectly weighted pass from Ebanks-Blake released Jarvis, who lifted the ball over Rachubka.

However, Blackpool refused to be beaten and after Evatt had beaten Hennessey to Kyel Reid's right-wing free-kick, Edwards was on hand to smash the ball home.

Blackpool: Rachubka, Barker, Edwards, Evatt, Harte (Marti n, 74), Taylor-Fletcher (Vaughan, 89), Southern, Fox, Reid, Gow, Dickinson (Burgess, 81). Substitutes not used: Gilks (gk), Nardiello.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Hennessey, Stearman, Mancienne, Collins, Hill (Ward, 57), Foley, Edwards (Jones, 26), Henry, Jarvis, Ebanks-Blake, Iwelumo (Vokes, 67). Substitutes not used: Ikeme (gk), Keogh.

Referee: K Friend (Leicestershire).