On this day in 2010: Blackpool draw first blood in first leg of Championship play-off semi-final against Nottingham Forest

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be dipping into the archives to bring you STEVE CANAVAN’S Gazette reports from a decade ago on Blackpool’s remarkable journey to the promised land.

Ten years ago, it was advantage Blackpool following the first leg of their promotion play-off semi-final, as they beat Nottingham Forest 2-1...

The country might be in political chaos – a Prime Minister that lost, two parties who detest each other suddenly going on dates, but thankfully you can be sure of one thing: Forest will lose away.

In a tight and edgy but always entertaining contest, the Seasiders just about got the better of opponents who haven’t won on the road since the start of January.

It wasn’t easy. It was never going to be with so much at stake.

But having recovered from falling behind in a first period when they were second best to a lively Forest, Ian Holloway’s men fought back and by the end were slightly disappointed not to have won by more.

With Forest so strong at home, and with 30,000 Nottingham folk screaming for them, an extra goal advantage would have been useful.

But the important thing on Saturday was to get their noses in front and Pool achieved that.

Perhaps it was written in the stars, or at least that’s what a fella who approached me before kick-off seemed to think.

He leaned towards me, glanced behind him a couple of times as if to ensure we weren’t being watched by a private detective, and whispered: “Hung parliament”.

Not exactly breaking news. Elvis is dead and Preston used to be a half-decent Championship team, but nevertheless I nodded and said ‘yes it is’.

“No, you don’t understand,” he replied.

“The last time there was a hung parliament was 1974.”

Pause. “Don’t you see? The last time Blackpool were in the top flight was the 1970s. Now there’s another hung parliament so it means we’re going to get promoted to the Premier League.”

He was so impressed by this theory I didn’t have the heart to point out that the Seasiders were last in the top flight in 1971, three years prior to the Harold Wilson-led government he was referring to and therefore making his link tenuous at best.

‘Good point’, I muttered. ‘I’ll reserve my seat at Old Trafford straightaway. Now I must be off, things to do…’

Maybe he’s right though. Maybe it is meant to be. And things certainly do seem to be going Blackpool’s way.

They are in a rich vein of form (seven wins in nine) and are playing with the same kind of verve and self-confidence that marked their epic Perfect 10 exploits of a few years ago.

And while Forest won’t exactly be in a cold sweat ahead of the return, they may well be wondering whether the Seasiders have some sort of hold over them.

It’s now three games against Forest this season and three victories. No one else can boast that.

Of course the City Ground will be the toughest of destinations. Billy Davies’ men have won 18 out of 23 games on their own turf.

They are a very slick and confident outfit. But so are Blackpool, which could make it very interesting indeed.

I think Davies knows that too. He is worried about the Tangerines, of that there is no doubt.

You could see that during this encounter when he lost his rag in the second half and raced towards the pitch to vent his considerable spleen at ref Phil Dowd.

Like a parent chiding a small child for stealing some chocolate out of the fridge, the official called Davies over and gave him a lecture before sending the Forest boss back to the dugout.

The Blackpool fans loved this of course, the stadium ringing with a chant containing lyrics not suitable for this esteemed publication.

As well as being amusing, it showed the strain Davies is under.

He has been planning for the play-offs for weeks. The people of Nottingham expect success.

In other words he and his players are under pressure, pressure that will be almost choking come Tuesday night especially if Pool are still ahead on aggregate, say, an hour in.

Blackpool, meanwhile, were the bookies tips to go down.

They are under no pressure at all. They’re enjoying themselves. The season has been a brilliant, wonderful success whatever happens from here on in.

It will be fascinating to see how it all pans out; with the winner heading to Wembley and a shot at the Premier League, the loser to a sunlounger in Dubai.

If Pool want to postpone their summer holidays a tad longer they will probably have to start better than they did here.

Forest went ahead 13 minutes in thanks to a strike of quality from the lively Chris Cohen.

A lad who has always had a cracking shot on him, Cohen instinctively volleyed the ball over Matt Gilks from fully 20 yards with the outside of his foot. Brilliant.

The crowd were fantastic at this point. They were in the middle of a chorus of ‘Holloway’s Tangerine Army’ when the visitors scored. But they didn’t stop the chant, just started singing louder.

That is the kind of backing every club craves and Blackpool FC is lucky to have supporters like that.

It worked too ... Pool hit back on 25 minutes.

Charlie Adam and Gary Taylor-Fletcher combined to feed Seamus Coleman and the on-loan Everton full-back surged towards and across the penalty area.

He slipped a cool pass to Ian Evatt (pictured), the centre-back squared it … and although Keith Southern struck his shot as sweetly as a lemon, it didn’t matter.

His scuffed left-footer found the net and the Seasiders were level. Cue euphoria.

A let-off straight after when Dexter Blackstock, a big, bruising striker who was a handful all afternoon, headed Paul Anderson’s cross against the bar and Nathan Tyson missed the follow-up.

Then Coleman and Stephen Crainey had to be alert to clear the danger at corners in first-half stoppage time.

Forest had been the better team, but not so after the break.

A subtle tactical change, giving key players DJ Campbell and Adam more space, saw the Seasiders go on the front foot and they went ahead in the 56th minute.

Campbell surged forward 30 yards, exchanged passes with Brett Ormerod and was bundled over inside the box by James Perch.

A booking for the Forest full-back, an 18th goal of the season for Adam the midfielder despatching his spot-kick so nonchalantly it was as if he were larking around in training.

Adam had a couple of freekicks blocked and created a great chance for Campbell but the striker spooned his shot over.

Forest almost snatched a draw at the death but Gilks made a splendid save from another first-class Cohen effort from distance.

Ref Dowd usually takes charge of Premier League matches and it showed as he booked eight players, some of them harshly.

Mind you, Blackpool would no doubt be only too happy to see a lot more of Dowd next season.

Whether that happens depends first and foremost on events in Nottingham.

Like the General Election, it still hangs in the balance. But it’s advantage Blackpool. And Forest know it.