Today's opponents are Blackpool, who are riding high in the League at eighth place just one point outside the play-off places. The last two games at home to the Seasiders have ended in goalless draws so let's hope we can see some goals this time, preferably in the opposition net. It will be difficult because Blackpool have kept a clean sheet for the last three games but are missing their top man Charlie Adams through suspension along with Ishmael Demontagnac. Daniel Nardiello is also out with a knee injury. However, manager Ian Holloway has named an attacking line-up so the Rovers defence will have to be on form. Sean O'Driscoll has named Gareth Roberts at left back for the Rovers, with James Chambers switching back to the right and James O'Connor dropping to the bench and John Oster comes in for Quinton Fortune in midfield. A dull but dry and cool afternoon offers perfect conditions for a good game this afternoon. The Rovers defended the South Stand end in the first half.

Blackpool set the game in motion but the Rovers were soon in possession and in the second minute Sharp picked up a loose pass from an opponent, fed Coppinger on the right but his shot from 25yards was saved by Gilks. Then, in the 5th minute, Euell's pass on the edge of the Rovers penalty area was intercepted by Woods. He took the ball ten yards into the Blackpool half before sweeping it out to Oster on the right touchline. WOODS, having continued his run was then in a perfect position to meet Oster's low cross and slam it into the net for the opening goal. Blackpool went on to the attack but didn't trouble Sullivan then Shiels at the other end put a weak shot from 25yards wide. Three corners to the Rovers in the space of six minutes brought a header from Shackell that went wide and a shot from Gillett also going wide. Then, in the 21st minute, good combination between Baptiste and Emmanuel-Thomas on the Blackpool right forced a corner, which was swung to the back post where EVATT, with a soft header, saw it squirm past Sullivan and over the line. A period of midfield play followed before, just past the half hour, Coppinger put over a cross from the left that skimmed off Sharp's head, hit Crainey's body and went straight into Gilks' hands. Six minutes later, following a Blackpool corner, Gillett put a long ball to Sharp, who only had two defenders alongside him in the opposition half. Winning the ball Sharp's shot was saved by Gilks. As the clock ran down to the break, Roberts gave the ball to Coppinger on the Rovers left, who fed Sharp, who went clear on goal but Gilks stood up and blocked his shot as he tried to slide the ball past him. At the other end a couple of minutes later, Burgess headed wide from a good cross on the left. Then, as added time came up, a Rovers attack broke down in the Blackpool penalty area and the ball cleared out to Vaughan who took it all the way to the Rovers penalty area before Shackell tackled him and put out for a corner. This came into the Rovers six-yard line where Burgess swung a foot at it but put the ball straight at Sullivan, who pouched it comfortably.

Half time - ROVERS 1 Blackpool 1 

The Rovers got the second half underway, with Woods giving to Gillett, who gave to Roberts on the left near the corner flag. A good cross to the near post was side-footed in by SHARP, with just 12seconds of the second half gone. Nothing daunted the visitors went on to the attack and forced a corner after 51minutes. This came to Woods on the edge of his own area. He took the ball into the opposition penalty area before stabbing the ball at the keeper, who saved. Five minutes later, Sharp got to the right byline before hitting a low cross to the middle where Gilks dropped on it before Oster could get to it. Just past the hour and a free kick to Blackpool halfway inside the Rovers halfwas headed down to Burgess three yards fom goal but he casually lifted straight into Sullivan's arms. Continuing to attack, EMMANUEL-THOMAS for the visitors received the ball halfway in the Rovers half and dribbled his way through three Rovers defenders before firing into the far corner of the net from 18yards after 62minutes. Two minutes later and, following a free kick to the Rovers, Woods hit a rocket from 25yards that had Gilks arching his back as he tipped it over the bar. The corner was followed by Chambers hitting a shot from the left that Gilks just got a hand to for another corner to the Rovers. Minutes later and Coppinger found himself in a 1-on-1 situation with the keeper, who quickly closed him down, the rebound going to Sharp, who fired over from the edge of the area. Back came Blackpool as the game see-sawed one way then the other. Then, in the 77th minute, a Blackpool attack reached BURGESS on the edge of the penalty area to the right of goal. No danger but he placed a left foot shot wide of Sullivan into the far corner for the Seasiders to take the lead for the first time. Back came the Rovers and making a trio of substitutions they piled forward. Sharp hit a twenty-yarder wide as the Rovers battled for at least an equaliser. Into the 90th minute and a cross from the right was headed down by Hayter for SHARP to make room for himself and fire in from 8yards. Two minutes into added time and Heffernan took a pass from Coppinger on the left, beat a man then fired wide of the far post from 15yards. a corner to the Rovers was followed by a quick break by the Seasiders with Emmanuel-Thomas getting to the edge of the penalty area before being brought down by Chambers, who received a yellow card. The kick was blocked and the whistle went on a thrilling, pulsating game that ended all square at three goals each.

Full time - ROVERS 3 Blackpool 3

Teams - Rovers - Neil Sullivan; James Chambers, Sam Hird, Jason Shackell, Gareth Roberts; John Oster, Simon Gillett, Dean Shiels, Martin Woods; James Coppinger, Billy Sharp

Subs used - Mark Wilson for Gillett 78mins; James Hayter for Oster 81mins; Paul Heffernan for Shiels 81mins;

Subs not used - James O'Connor, Lewis Guy, John Spicer, Gary Woods gk

Cautions - Woods, Chambers,

Blackpool - Matt Gilks; Alex Baptiste, Ian Evatt, Marcel Seip, Stephen Crainey; Joey Emmanuel-Thomas, Keith Southern, David Vaughan; Ben Burgess, Brett Ormerod, Jason Euell

Subs used - Gary Taylor-Fletcher for Ormerod 91mins;

Subs not used - Billy Clarke, Joe Martin, Al Bangura, Rob Edwards, Louis Almond, Paul Rachubka gk