When Hornets' stand-out player Eric Andrews skipped under the Blackpool Posts to reclaim the lead with two minutes remaining, Hornets' fans could justifiably have thought that this troublesome game was in the bag.

With 90 seconds of possession left - just enough time to play out five steady tackles and hoof the ball as far downfield as possible - Hornets stuttered their way into a 5th tackle blind-side cul-de-sac where the normally reliable Chris Hough blasted the ball directly into touch no more than 10 metres from its departure point.

And while Blackpool went mining the rich seam of points down Hornets right flank one last time, the regulars were left rueing the 12 point starts gifted to the visitors at the start of each half.

Indeed, by four minutes past three, Blackpool were 12-nil up: carbon copy tries through the channel policed by Carl Sneyd and Alex Brown - a route to the line they'd look for all afternoon.

Hornets eventually got the game-plan into gear with Craig Farrimond and Martin Ainscough taking their chances well. And Hornets took the lead after quarter of an hour with a freak try befitting a comedy award.

Last tackle kicks from both Ainscough and Sinfield pin-balled back off onrushing defenders. And when Farrimond launched his attempted cross-field kick, he defied physics, looping the ball backwards and sideways simultaneously.

As the remaining 25 players stood bamboozled, Eric Andrews re-introduced normality, grabbing the bouncing ball and hitting the gas to step past flat-footed defenders from 20 metres.

On the next foray into Panthers' territory, Chris Hough lofted a better executed chip into the in-goal. While Munro and Weed shouted 'Yours', Chris Campbell stepped in to touch down.

From the resulting kick-off possession, Hornets marched straight back upfield and, while most in the ground thought that Paul Alcock had sneaked in for a well-taken try, referee Mr Kidd saw a knock-on and the chance was lost.

The second half began much like the first. Hornets napping while Blackpool scooted in for quick-fire tries. But Hornets worked themselves back into contention when Hough and Sneyd showed good hands in traffic to send Alex Brown in y the flag.

But the revival was short-lived as, on 56 minutes, Llewellyn was worked in for a neat try and Hornets found themselves 8 points adrift going into the last quarter.

As Blackpool began to visibly tire, Hornets went in search of the points. First, Todd O'Brien showed great vision and pace to blast in from acting half. And Eric Andrews grabbed the lead with just two minutes remaining.

With 90 seconds of possession left, all Hornets had to do was play out five steady tackles and hoof the ball as far downfield as possible.

As it was, Blackpool seized their last chance, swung the ball left, ran at the suspect centre channel and scored on the hooter to tie the scores. Fortunately, Ashe's conversion faded badly and the points were shared.

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