BLACKPOOL and Nottingham Forest’s FA Cup clash was temporarily halted in extra-time due to a medical emergency.
With the scores locked at 2-2 on the stroke of the break in additional 30 minutes, the referee blew early after an incident in the away end.
ReutersSoccer Football – FA Cup – Third Round Replay – Blackpool v Nottingham Forest – Bloomfield Road, Blackpool, Britain – January 17, 2024 A member of medical staff runs to the stands after an incident REUTERS/Carl Recine[/caption]
Players saw the calls for help from supporters in the visiting the section as the ref opted to call time on the first period a few seconds early.
Club medics raced over to the stands to attend to the ill supporter as the players headed towards the dug-outs on the opposite side of the pitch.
Fortunately, the issue did not seem to be too serious as play restarted after just a short delay with the team medics heading back to their respective benches.
Forest’s week of woe had continued as they were pegged back by plucky Blackpool in normal time.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men were told on Monday they are facing a points deduction for failing to meet the Prem’s financial guidelines.
They looked to be giving their fans something to smile about at Bloomfield Road as Andrew Omobamidele and Danilo put them firmly in charge.
But the League One outfit staged a spirited late fightback to take the third round replay to extra time.
Visiting fans would have made the trip to the seaside with some trepidation – as their team were knocked out here last season.
They feared a repeat in the original tie 10 days ago – as they slipped two goals behind before coming back to force a replay themselves.
All the ingredients seemed to be here for an upset with Forest missing six players due to the African Cup of Nations.
The Seasiders have won nine of their last 10 home games in the league and it was a freezing night on the Fylde Coast, which nobody would have relished.
Yet Forest settled well and almost took an early lead as Murillo’s low header was clawed away by Daniel Grimshaw.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s men were ahead in the 16th minute as Ryan Yates flicked on a corner at the near post.
Republic of Ireland defender Andrew Omobamidele arrived at the back stick to sweep home and mark his first start for the club with a goal.
The £11 million signing picked up a shirt with a message for team-mate Cheikhou Kouyate – who is away with Senegal at AFCON but mourning the death of his father.
The visitors were firmly in control all half and emerged after the break determined to finish the tie off.
Albie Morgan’s back pass put Grimshaw in trouble and Dominguez got his toe in first,with the keeper getting injured in the process.
Danilo was on hand to stroke home despite a valiant last ditch effort from Ekpiteta to keep it out on the line.
Grimshaw tried to continue but was forced off minutes later with Richard O’Donnell replacing him between the sticks.
It seemed to all be going wrong for the Seasiders – but then on the hour they suddenly had a lifeline.
Morgan made amends for his earlier error when Murillo failed to clear his lines for the visitors.
The former Charlton midfielder took it down and thumped home a rising shot from the edge of the box in emphatic style – and suddenly the League One side were back in it.
A triple sub made by Critchley gave his team some extra energy and belief and one of them Kyle Joseph came up with the equaliser seven minutes later.
Andy Lyons hung up a swirling cross from the left which nobody from Forest seemed to fancy but Scotland Under 21 forward Joseph did – nodding in at the back post.
In 10 minutes of added time, Karamoko Dembele went round the keeper and looked certain to complete a famous win – but Orel Mangala got back to clear off the line before the drama would unfold in the stand in extra-time.
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