Blackpool held by Newcastle

Blackpool - Blackpool's hopes of prolonging their stay in the English Premier League suffered a setback on Saturday as they could only draw 1-1 with Newcastle at Bloomfield Road.

With the worst home record in the league - nine losses suggesting the Seasiders could rename their ground Gloomfield Road - the hosts were driven on by the knowledge that anything less than a win would leave them perched perilously on the edge of the drop zone.

Newcastle themselves arrived having only managed to win two of their past 13 games, although their goalless draw in midweek at home to champions-elect Manchester United had gone some way to lifting morale on Tyneside.

And the visitors drew first blood when Peter Lovenkrands, set up by Joey Barton, put Newcastle ahead in the 17th minute.

But fit again skipper Charlie Adam, returning from a foot injury, helped get the hosts out of jail as from his in-swinging corner DJ Campbell equalised, bundling in from close range just after the half hour mark.

That galvanised Blackpool, just one win now in 14 matches, desperate to avoid a first home loss to the Magpies since April 1971.

That year the Seasiders finished bottom and only ended their long exile outside the top flight by gaining promotion via last season's playoffs.

Blackpool piled the pressure on after the break, Adam hitting the woodwork with stand-in keeper Tim Krul beaten in the 65th minute.

With Newcastle offering little creative threat after the break and seemingly content to hold on for a point it was Ian Holloway's hosts, driven on by Adam and fellow midfield dynamo David Vaughan, returning after a hip problem, who were increasingly running the show.

Newcastle had welcomed back skipper Kevin Nolan after a two-match suspension, but he had one of his quieter games as the initiative remained for the most part with Blackpool.

Only some poor finishing and another impressive showing in the Newcastle goal from Tim Krul, who impressed in midweek against Manchester United and who deputised once again in place of the injured Steve Harper, prevented Blackpool from securing only a fifth home win as they allowed two precious points to slip away.

With four games remaining they are just one goal better off than Wigan, who currently fill the third and final relegation slot.