Sheffield Wednesday 1, Blackpool 1: Jerry Yates rescues point for Seasiders after late equaliser

Jerry Yates came off the bench to rescue a point for Blackpool as they fought back to earn a 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

The Seasiders had to come from behind after Davis Keillor-Dunn gave the hosts the lead midway through the first half, but their task became easier when Sil Swinkels was sent off shortly before the break.

Blackpool made their numerical advantage count in the closing stages, with substitute Yates finding the net in the 81st minute to secure a share of the points.

The result leaves Ian Evatt’s side 19th in the League One table, two points above the relegation zone.

Blackpool made a positive start and threatened inside the opening six minutes when Andy Lyons met a corner with a powerful header, but Wednesday goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer was able to make a comfortable save.

Dale Taylor also had an effort blocked after making a break towards the edge of the penalty area, while Tom Bloxham tested Maynard-Brewer from distance as the visitors looked to take the lead.

Wednesday had their moments, too, with Mason Burstow seeing a header dealt with by Bailey Peacock-Farrell after the hosts had threatened on the break.

The home side took the lead in the 26th minute, though, when a misplaced pass back from Leighton Clarkson fell into the path of Keillor-Dunn.

The Wednesday forward drove towards goal before drilling a low finish into the bottom left corner to put his side ahead.

Blackpool looked to respond quickly, with Taylor shooting wide from outside the area, before Jordan Williams forced a good save from Maynard-Brewer in the closing stages of the half.

However, Wednesday were reduced to 10 men in the 40th minute when Swinkels was shown a straight red card for bringing down Bloxham as the Blackpool forward looked to break through on goal.

The Seasiders introduced Josh Bowler for Lyons at half-time and looked to make their extra-man advantage count after the restart.

Keillor-Dunn almost doubled Wednesday’s lead with an ambitious attempt from inside his own half after spotting Peacock-Farrell off his line, but his effort went wide.

Blackpool came close to equalising moments later when Hayden Coulson connected with a low delivery into the penalty area, only to send his effort wide.

Keillor-Dunn then tested Peacock-Farrell with a shot from outside the box, but the Blackpool goalkeeper produced an excellent diving save to keep his side in the contest.

Evatt made four changes in the 68th minute, introducing Yates, Dion Charles, Ilmari Niskanen and Finley Munroe as Blackpool searched for a way back into the game.

The visitors continued to apply pressure, with Taylor seeing another effort blocked, before their persistence finally paid off in the 81st minute.

Yates latched onto a well-weighted pass from Albie Morgan and found the net to bring Blackpool level.

Wednesday threatened to snatch a late winner when Burstow tried his luck from inside his own half, but Peacock-Farrell was alert enough to tip the ball around the post.

Blackpool almost completed the turnaround in the closing stages when Olly Casey struck the crossbar with a long-range effort, but neither side could find a winner as the points were shared.

Sheffield Wednesday: Ashley Maynard-Brewer, Liam Palmer, Max Lowe, Yan Valery, Callum Slattery, Barry Bannan, Jaden Heskey, Sil Swinkels, Ernie Weaver, Mason Burstow, Davis Keillor-Dunn. Subs: Connal Trueman, Ricardo Santos, Sean Fusire, Kieran Morrison, Gabriel Otegbayo, Jordi Liongola, Harry Gray.

Blackpool: Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Andy Lyons, Zac Ashworth, Olly Casey, Leighton Clarkson, Albie Morgan, Tom Bloxham, Hayden Coulson, Karoy Anderson, Dale Taylor, Jordan Williams. Subs: Luke Southwood, Jordan Brown, Josh Bowler, Jerry Yates, Dion Charles, Ilmari Niskanen, Finley Munroe.

Attendance: 30,674