Blackpool’s Jordan Thompson frustrated his side failed to kill the game off

Posted Sunday, October 07, 2018 by PA

Blackpool midfielder Jordan Thompson admits his side were punished for not putting the game to bed as Rochdale snatched a late 2-2 draw at Bloomfield Road.

Thompson netted his first goal for the club before Curtis Tilt’s effort, following Ryan Delaney’s equaliser, looked enough to win the game but Rochdale levelled four minutes from time through Calvin Andrew to share the spoils.

The result extends Blackpool’s unbeaten run to nine matches in League One but Thompson insists his side must start turning their draws into victories if they are to start climbing the table.

“Rochdale started the game quite fast, but we got the goals in the first half, but then they left it late for their equaliser and it was a punisher,” the 21-year-old said.

“The boys were saying after the game that it feels like a loss, we dominated in the second half and created chances, but we should have taken them.

“We were beating ourselves a bit at half-time, Rochdale knocked the ball around really well and I think they won the battle, but after the break we dominated and that is disappointing.

“I was pleased to get my first goal for the club, I saw the space as Marc Bola crossed the ball in and headed it in at the near post.

“I’m really enjoying my time at the club at the moment, I came down here to play games and that is what I’m doing. The team is doing well and we are just looking to push on now.”

Rochdale failed to deal with two crosses for Blackpool’s goals at Bloomfield Road, something which infuriated Rochdale boss Keith Hill heading into the interval.

Hill’s men have just one win from their last five matches, but the manager can see positives from their fightback at Blackpool.

“In the end I think a draw is a fair result, we were brilliant in the first half, but the score line was disappointing, with goals conceded from mistakes,” Hill said.

“I’m pleased with a lot of aspects overall and we showed real courage to go and get an equaliser.

“Calvin Andrew’s goal was the perfect end to the game for us. As we were approaching the end of the game I knew if we weren’t going to win the game then we definitely did not want to lose it.

“Bringing the performance from Tuesday night into the game was really important and the way we play is very important as I want us to be entertaining.

“We do want to win football matches, but we’ve got to play the way I want us to play and I’m pretty pleased in that respect at the minute.”