Blackpool 1-1 Sunderland AFC
Sunderland AFC were denied three points on New Year’s Day, as Blackpool held on at Bloomfield Road to ensure a share of the spoils.
Shaun Lavery opened the scoring midway through an action-packed opening period, which also saw Amad rattle the crossbar in additional time.
Ross Stewart struck the woodwork after the hour mark, but the Black Cats refused to be denied and the frontman headed home Trai Hume’s cross for a deserved equaliser.
The Lads’ top scorer went close to a winner on two occasions, as the Tangerines rode their luck until time was up in Lancashire to claim a point.
Tony Mowbray made two changes following back-to-back festive wins, with Patrick Roberts and Stewart returning to the side to face Blackpool.
Edouard Michut retained his place following an impressive outing against Wigan Athletic, but the Frenchman was yellow carded in a scrappy opening at Bloomfield Road.
The Tangerines struck first blood with 21 minutes on the clock, as Lavery broke free before slotting a composed finish under Anthony Patterson.
Roberts led the response for Mowbray’s men, with Amad forcing a corner following bright play from the winger, who was denied by Chris Maxwell soon after.
Jack Clarke was denied before Marvin Ekpiteta blocked a Stewart effort, but Michael Appleton’s side also threatened through CJ Hamilton and Gary Madine.
Bailey Wright made an important block prior to the interval and Amad struck the crossbar, as the Tangerines edged into the break with a slender advantage.
The on-loan Manchester United forward was denied again on 54 minutes, when Maxwell clawed his goalbound effort away from the corner.Substitute Ba sent Clarke tearing into opposition territory after the hour mark, but Stewart’s resulting ten-yard strike cannoned off the crossbar.
Moments later, the striker’s frustration melted away and he was wheeling away in celebration, with a deft header from Hume’s cross levelling the encounter.
Stewart was inches away from connecting with an Amad cross from two yards on 77 minutes, as wave after wave of attack crashed against the home backline.
Luke O’Nien headed over the top on his 200th appearance for the Lads and further chances fell before time was up, but the Tangerines held on for a point.
Blackpool FC: Maxwell, Connolly, Ekpiteta, Thorniley, Husband, Patino, Carey, Poveda, Hamilton (Beesley 73), Lavery (Yates 73), Madine. Subs not used: Grimshaw, Williams, Thompson, Wright, Dougall.
Sunderland AFC: Patterson, Ballard, Wright, O’Nien, Hume, Neil, Michut (Ba 61), Amad, Clarke, Roberts, Stewart. Subs not used: Bass, Evans, Matete, Rigg, Dajaku, Bennette.