FA Cup: Blackpool 2 West Brom 2 AET (3-2 on pens) - Report

The Seasiders had to settle for winning the game on penalties with Kyle Edwards, Darnell Furlong and Matheus Pereira all missing for the Baggies in the shoot-out.

But that was no more than the hosts deserved with the League One side out-performing their Premier League opponents for long spells - particularly in added on time.

The Baggies twice fought back to force extra time.

Jerry Yates gave Blackpool a first-half lead before Semi Ajayi pulled Sam Allardyce’s side level.

Gary Madine restored the host’s advantage before Pereira leveled once more with a penalty.

But while both teams created chances in extra-time, it was Blackpool who showed more character and grit.

And they won it on penalties despite Yates missing the very first spot-kick.

Kamil Grosicki scored for Albion but misses from Edwards and Furlong put the hosts on the cusp of victory.

Albion got another shot at it when Sullay Kaikai missed what would have been a winning spot-kick.

But Pereira then saw his following effort saved to ensure it was the League One side who made it through to the fourth round.

Report

With one eye on next weekend’s derby against Wolves, Allardyce opted to name an experimental team and system for the trip to Bloomfield Road.

Lining up in a fluid 4-1-4-1 formation, Semi Ajayi shifted from centre-back into the holding role with Jake Livermore and Conor Gallagher joining him in central midfield.

Filip Krovinovic was on the right flank with Kamil Grosicki on the left while Matheus Pereira

operated a false nine.

In total, Allardyce made eight changes from the team that fell to defeat against Arsenal with the likes of Sam Johnstone, Grady Diangana and Callum Robinson rested completely.

Blackpool, under the guidance of boss Neil Critchley, lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Gary Madine partnering Jerry Yates in attack.

In what proved to be an intriguing opening 20 minutes, Albion saw a lot of their ball in their fluid system did their best to support Peieira.

There were spells when, instead of the Brazilian, Livermore, Gallagher, Grosicki or Krovinovic was the furthest man forward.

But you could tell Blackpool’s players were determined to prove themselves against Premier League opposition with Critchley’s men giving their all.

And that meant it wasn’t until midway through the first-half that Albion created their first clear-cut chance.

It arrived after goalkeeper David Button stepped into the Blackpool half before sending a long punt forward.

The ball was then worked to Pereira who hit the byline before picking out Gallagher with a low cross.

But from 10-yards, the Chelsea loanee then sent a low drive wide when he really should have done better.

The hosts responded and almost got themselves in front just a few moments later.

A free-kick was sent to the back post which Bez Lubala nodded back into the danger area.

Dan Ballard then latched onto the loose ball just yards out and, acrobatically, sent the ball over the bar.

The Baggies went on to control possession from that point. Pereira and Krovinovic both saw efforts from distance well saved by Chris Maxwell.

But without the nous and experience of a recognized frontman, their play was more neat and tidy than effective.

And just before the break, Blackpool gave themselves a real chance of causing an upset by taking the lead.

Following a swift counter, Lubala did really well to first provide an overlap and then send in a cross which was simply begging to be turned home.

And Yates duly obliged with the striker slamming the ball past Button from just six-yards.

Allardyce made a change at the break with Darnell Furlong replacing Kieran Gibbs in a move that saw Lee Peltier switch from the right to left-back.

And that switch played a part in Albion pulling level shortly after the re-start.

After surging forward, Furlong was fouled with Pereira sending in a free-kick which looks destined to sail through to the keeper.

But defender Ollie Turton bizarrely turned the ball over his own crossbar to give away a needless corner.

And from that corner, Ajayi powered in a header for his second goal in four games.

Albion were now playing with much more purpose and they came close to taking the lead just past the hour mark.

A brilliant Pereira pass sent Grosicki charging towards goal with the Poland international then doing well to pick out Gallagher with a low cross.

From 12-yards, though, he then sent a strike well over the bar.

It did feel as if Albion were in control.

But with a little over 20 minutes remaining, Blackpool got themselves back in front.

Once again, the hosts countered really well but they were then helped by the Baggies defence which parted like the red sea.

And from just outside the box, Madine then produced an outstanding finish to arrow the ball into the bottom corner and beyond the reach of Button.

With 10 minutes to go, though, the Baggies were gifted a lifeline.

Grosicki darted into the box and sent in a cross which hit the arm of Ollie Turton who was only a yard away.

Nevertheless, referee John Brooks pointed to the penalty spot - with Pereira firing in from 12-yards.

You would have thought that goal would have deflated the hosts - but they quickly created two chances to grab a third.

First, another swift counter ended with Yates finding Turton in the box. But, on the angle, he then fired high and wide.

Substitute Matty Virtue then hitting a fizzing drive from 18-yards that whistled just inches past the post.

In stoppage time they went close again with Madine heading a corner wide - with that miss meaning extra time.

Both teams created chances in the first few minutes following the re-start.

Blackpool threatened first with Madine slipped in on goal only for Button to make an excellent stop to block his strike with his chest.

Then at the other end, Kyle Edwards send in a low cross that Krovinovic blazed over.

Blackpool continued to be bright before half-time of extra-time with Virtue again have two decent attempts from distance.

Albion then came close to getting their noses in front shortly after the re-start with Edwards hitting a crisp low drive that was kept out thanks to an excellent one-handed stop from Maxwell.

And that proved to be the best chance of the half with the game heading to penalties.

Blackpool’s Yates missed the very first spot-kick with Grosicki then scoring for Albion.

But misses from Edwards, Furlong put the hosts on the cusp of victory.

Albion got another shot at it when Sullay Kaikai hit the post with what would have been a winning spot-kick.

But Pereira then saw his following effort saved to ensure it was the League One side who made it through.

Teams

Blackpool: Maxwell, Turton, Ballard (Ekpiteta 90), Gretarsson, Husband, Dougall, Ward, Kemp, Lubala (Kaikai 75), Madine, Yates.

Subs not used: Sims, Gabriel, Thorniley, Robson. Kaikai, Mitchell, Virtue, Ekpiteta, Woodburn.

Albion: Button, Peltier (O’Shea 96), Ivanovic (Kipre 72), Bartley (Sawyers 61), Gibbs (Furlong 46), Ajayi, Livermore, Krovinovic, Gallagher (Edwards 61), Grosicki, Pereira.

Subs not used: Lonergan, Harmon, Harper, Richards.