Blackpool 2

Bradford City 1

The Blackpool programme contained no directions to Wembley this time.

And sadly, City won't need to dig out a map for the Millennium Stadium with many more results like this one.

Bloomfield Road in 2005 is unrecognisable from that night nine years ago when Chris Kamara's Bantams were so fired up by reading that the home side had already planned out their trip to the play-off final.

Redeveloped completely on two sides of the ground, wide open on another and completely barren at one end, it has a half-baked appearance. A bit like City's play-off ambitions.

On their first visit back since that legendary semi-final, the tables were turned.

Revenge is a dish best served cold. And on the chilliest night of the season, Blackpool got their own back.

Not just for May, 1996 but also the game at Valley Parade in October when City pinched an unjust victory in the last minute. This time it was Blackpool's turn as Keigan Parker broke Paul Henderson's defiant resistance in the second of the three added minutes at the end.

Harsh timing, maybe, but nobody can grumble about the result. Blackpool earned their win after a performance the locals reckoned was their best of the season.

City, beaten for the third game in four, had their moments. But they were too few and far between and the shot count of 20-5 in the home favour says it all.

Blackpool were at City's throat from the opening minutes.

The visitors were caught waiting for a non-existent offside flag, allowing Parker to steal a yard on to Richie Wellens' pass. But the finish was too close to Henderson who was able to flick it away.

City responded with their best chance of the first half. Andy Cooke held up possession well before Peter Atherton picked out Steve Schumacher's well-timed burst into the box.

The midfielder, desperate to get back on the scoresheet, had only keeper Lee Jones to beat but got too much on his touch and sent it over.

David Wetherall, the player Schumacher wants to catch in the goal stakes, then almost had another one - but in his own net. Fortunately Henderson reacted quickly to prevent the skipper diverting Martin Bullock's cross into the bottom corner.

City's defence were kept on their toes as Blackpool's movement and extra pace caused problems. You couldn't tell who were the team fighting to beat the drop.

There was another big escape when Bullock's cross shot beat Henderson but bounced away off the base of the far post. And had Jamie Burns shown better control in front of goal on another swift break, City would have been carved open again a few minutes later.

In the bitter cold, hats were more of the Siberian than Kiss Me Quick variety. The City fans shivering on the open side tried to keep themselves warm with some enthusiastic backing but they had little to cheer.

City forced a couple of corners but Blackpool were still the bigger threat on the break and one counter saw John Murphy head just wide from Danny Coid's cross.

Colin Hendry's side were neat and inventive in their approach work, pushing forward in numbers and willing to have a pop. City were grateful that Henderson looked reassuringly confident between the sticks and he clung on to another Murphy header as half-time approached.

Owen Morrison was the best bet going forward and from his jinking run just before the break, the loose ball ran for Schumacher to chip straight at Jones. It was better but not much more than a hand-warmer for the frozen home keeper.

Blackpool had done enough to lead at the break and re-started in the same aggressive vein with Parker testing Henderson.

But their pressure paid off after 48 minutes when Wellens retrieved a deep corner and Keith Southern was unmarked to nod his cross home. It may have gone in off a black-shirted shoulder but was no more than Blackpool deserved.

Ben Muirhead had replaced groin victim Nicky Summerbee at the break and his first run and centre sparked City's immediate fightback, Cooke meeting it with a downward header which just lacked the power to beat Jones.

But within 30 seconds the striker had nabbed his second goal for the club after sniffing out a mistake between the keeper and centre half Tony Butler. Just like at Sheffield Wednesday where he set up the winner, Cooke anticipated the back pass and calmly rounded Jones to score.

It was a shock to Blackpool's system given their overall control. But within minutes, the Tangerine shirts were pouring forward again with Henderson saving well at his near post from Parker.

The busy Lee Crooks lofted a dangerous pass for Dean Windass to chase into the box but the ball wouldn't come down before City enjoyed another huge slice of luck as Parker's half-volley cannoned off the inside of the post and back across the goalmouth.

Maybe that was payback for Luton but Blackpool kept coming and Butler thrashed wildly into the wasteland behind Henderson's goal as the keeper looked on stranded. Then Southern scooped over to more groans from the frustrated home fans.

That was nothing to their reaction after 77 minutes when referee Mick Fletcher booked Jamie Burns for diving. Parker turned Atherton inside out on the byline and teed up the left winger who looked to have his ankles tapped by Wetherall.

Fletcher immediately whistled - but to Blackpool's dismay, he gave the decision City's way.

The boos still raged as Muirhead caused havoc in the other box. Bursting round Jones his cross put a goal on a plate for Windass - only for City's leading hitman to sky his header.

Chances were coming thick and fast and Blackpool forced another corner. Wellens picked out Clarke, who was left clutching his head in disbelief as Henderson managed to scoop his close-range effort up and over.

But as with their October meeting, there was a sting in the tale. The ball was lumped deep into City's half, Bullock slipped it through to Parker in the box and the Scot made sure Henderson had no chance as he drilled home from ten yards.