QPR 1 Blackpool 1

Blackpool earn a creditable draw at Loftus Road on opening day of the 2009-10 season, against a QPR side who have aspirations of promotion to the Premier League this season.

On Ian Holloway's return to the club he managed for five years from 2001 to 2006 and for whom he played 147 league games as a midfielder between 1991 and 1996, he saw his new Blackpool side come away with a point.

After 37 minutes of the first half Ben Burgess gave the Tangerines the lead against the run of play. QPR, who are the richest club in the Championship, had dominated play early on, with Heidar Helguson hitting the bar. But it was the Seasiders who went in at the break 1-0 up.

The second half continued in much the same way with QPR dominating and Blackpool playing a containing game. And they held out the home side, whose owners left early to taunts from some in the home crowd.

However, a fluke late goal from Peter Ramage salvaged a point for Jim Magilton's side in the 86th minute in front of a crowd of 14,519.

Blackpool remained firm though on a day when six of the nine games that kicked-off at 3:00pm in the Championship all ended up as draws.

Full match report to follow later.

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