Carling Cup Result: Blackpool 2-1 Southend: Jacko's thriller finish

	Blackpool 2 - 1 Southend 7' 0 - 1 Matt Harrold (pen) 81' Wesley Hoolahan 1 - 1 118' Michael Jackson 2 - 2
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Blackpool captain Michael Jackson came off the bench to seal a 2-1 extra-time victory over Southend and send the Seasiders into the last 16 of the Carling Cup for the first time in 34 years.

Manager Simon Grayson rested six players for the newly-promoted Championship side and almost paid for it as Southend, who knocked out Manchester United to reach last season's quarter-finals, looked set for another fourth-round appearance following Matt Harrold's sixth-minute penalty.

But Blackpool striker Scott Vernon struck an 81st-minute equaliser to spare the Championship side's blushes and take the game into extra-time.

Defender Jackson was then belatedly brought into the fray and with a penalty shoot-out looming, stabbed home the winner three minutes from time.

Southend, who swapped places with Blackpool last season, came into the game with high spirits after winning their last three League One matches and made just one change, with striker Charlie MacDonald coming in for the cup-tied Leon Clarke.

And MacDonald made his presence felt after just six minutes, winning the penalty from which Southend opened the scoring.

Tommy Black played a neat ball through for the summer signing from Ebbsfleet, who was brought down by goalkeeper Rhys Evans, and Harrold stepped up to hit the spot-kick straight down the middle.

Southend full-back Adam Barrett denied Blackpool a quick equaliser and saved Peter Clarke's blushes with a goal-line clearance after the ball deflected goalwards off the former Tangerines defender.

Blackpool took time to find their feet but began to gain control midway through the half.

The impressive Andy Welsh exchanged passes with Vernon to get to the byline in the 27th minute, although Keigan Parker somehow managed to sidefoot his cross over from six yards.

Parker then picked out Welsh at the far post a minute later and the former Sunderland winger's volley rolled agonisingly wide.

Blackpool failed to keep the pressure on heading into the break but showed greater urgency following the restart.

Welsh had a strong penalty appeal turned down for a nudge by Garry Richards, but again Blackpool failed to maintain their momentum.

Grayson threw on midfielder Wes Hoolahan and striker Andy Morrell on the hour mark in a bid to revive his side but Southend comfortably held firm and threatened themselves in the 75th minute when Nicky Bailey's curling effort was deflected over.

But that narrow escape roused Blackpool with David Fox dragging a 20-yard effort narrowly wide before a superb run by substitute Hoolahan finally unlocked the Southend defence.

Hoolahan left Lewis Hunt on the floor, and although his shot was blocked by a covering defender on the line, Welsh squared for Vernon to sidefoot home and take the game into extra-time.

Welsh's probing runs continued to cause Southend problems in extra-time and drew a tired foul from Harrold in the 104th minute, with Welsh forcing a decent save from Steve Collis with the resulting free-kick.

Substitute Jackson looked to have put Blackpool in front a minute after the restart when he met a Welsh cross but the Seasiders skipper glanced his diving header across goal.

However, the veteran defender made no mistake in the 117th minute, stabbing home at the back post after Southend failed to clear Welsh's corner.

Full Report: Soccernet.com