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Huddersfield Town had to settle for a point in a draw with Blackpool on Friday night but could have taken all three at the John Smith's Stadium live in front of the Sky cameras.

Ricardo Fuller put the visitors ahead just before the half hour mark but James Vaughan equalised in the second half with his 10th goal of the season but the striker could have sealed the win for Town late on but his penalty kick smacked the crossbar.

Joel Lynch overcame a knock that kept him out of the Capital One Cup fixture in midweek to start against Blackpool and Jazz Richards was handed his first start at the John Smith's Stadium. Oliver Norwood kept his place in midfield alongside Jonathan Hogg and Adam Hammill started on the right wing. Jon Stead partnered James Vaughan up front.

Blackpool started the better of the two sides with some nice passing moves and nearly capitalised on a weak kick from Alex Smithies but Peter Clarke was on hand to deny the visitors a chance.

Vaughan could only fire wide after good work from Norwood, Stead and Hammill but it was Blackpool who took the lead on 27 minutes. Anthony Gerrard's half clearance when challenging for the ball was headed forward by Kirk Broadfoot to the advancing Ricardo Fuller and the Jamaican striker coolly rounded both Smithies and Clarke to tap into an empty net.

Vaughan had the ball in the net converting Stead's cross from close range just before the break but the goal was ruled off for offside. Replays have shown that Vaughan was just onside as the cross was made.

Hogg made way for Sean Scannell at the break with Mark Robins changing the Town system to a 4-4-2 and the change paid off as Town dominated the second half.

Vaughan was denied at the far post after Scannell had jinxed his way past Craig Cathcart and got in a cross and Joel Lynch headed over from a Town corner.

Cathcart failed to hit the target from six yards out from a Blackpool corner but the introduction of 18-year old Duane Holmes sparked the game into life for The Terriers.

With virtually his first touch the young midfielder drove at the Blackpool defence before laying the ball off for Vaughan who smashed the ball past Matt Gilks for his 10th goal of the season.

Town pushed forward in search for a winner and Holmes played a part in the build up leading to the penalty. The midfielder hit Blackpool on the counter then set up Scannell who was brought down by Angel Martinez in the box. The Blackpool defender was shown a second yellow card but Vaughan could only put the penalty against the crossbar and the ball flew away to safety.

Town continued to search for a winner but Holmes could only fire wide of Gilks' goal with a volley.

Sean's Star Man- Duane Holmes
Looks a promising young player and there had been rave reviews for a while within the club about the young midfielder. Heard he had a good game against Hull in midweek and did well when he came off the bench against Blackpool driving at the defence and chasing every ball. Provided a lovely pass for Vaughan's goal.

Teams:

Town: Smithies, Lynch, Gerrard, Clarke, Richards, Hogg (Scannell 46), Norwood, Clayton, Hammill, Stead (Holmes 57), Vaughan.
Subs not used: Bennett, Woods, Wallace, Paterson.

Blackpool: Gilks, Robinson, MacKenzie, Martinez, Broadfoot, Cathcart, Bishop (Delfouneso 64), Basham, Ince, Dobbie (Tyson 76), Fuller (Chopra 90).
Subs not used: Zeegelaar, Davies, Grant, Barkhuizen.

Referee: Scott Mathieson
Attendance: 12,337