The years 2003, it's freezing, it's late into a long Tuesday and  about 6000 have turned up to see Blackpool take on Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup. This comes after upsetting the odds in the previous round and beating Birmingham City 1-0 thanks to a Scott Taylor goal.

Steve McMahon was in charge at the time and like current manager  Simon Grayson he opted to have five outfield subs, rather then four outfielders and a goalkeeper on the bench. This decision would soon come back to haunt the loud mouth scouser.

The game saw Martin Bullock and Scott Taylor restored to the side. Whilst on loan Niel Danns sat out with man flu and Kieth Southern resigned to the bench. After a strong opening, Blackpool fans may have been forgiven for thinking an upset was on the cards. In fact so did that manager he told BBC Radio Lancashire after the game. "I fancied us for the first 10 or 15 minutes... we were bright and buzzy".

This was all thanks to Martin Bullock who found John Murphy at the far post. But the big man headed over and then in his typical "I'm sorry" style, grabbed his head in disbelief, realising that he should of scored.

'Pool looked strong; but then on 14 minutes a long ball was smashed into the Seasiders 18 yard area. It flew over the defense and the ball was the 'keepers to collect. Out charged Phil Barnes and he collected the ball.

However the referee felt big Barnes had picked the ball up outside his area. Now at the time I frequented J Block and had a perfect view of this incident. Still to this day I believe that he was in the area when he picked up the ball. Anyway to cut a long story short, referee Mr Danson dived his big fat meaty middle aged fingers into his pocket and pulled out a red card.

Oh dear! We had no 'keeper on the bench. There was confusion all around Bloomfield Road, this hadn't happened for a long time. (However that season it happened about four times!) Simon Grayson and Steve McMahon had a touchline discussion. Grayson trotted over to the edge of the area and was about to pick up the 'keepers shirt.

Now in a moment that made Gareth Evans a fans favorite and a terrace hero. He grabbed the shirt off him and put it on. It was about three sizes to big for the defender. It also had Barnes's name on, this led to a chorus of "who are you".

He started well in net, preventing the resulting free-kick from the infringement going in the back of the net. Pool seemed spurred on by the sending off. Probably safe in the knowledge there was a decent player in between the sticks.

Scott Taylor darted forward and it looked like he was going to put the Seasiders one ahead. As he had in the previous round. However after meeting a Martin Bullock special he failed to score.

On the 24th minute Palace scored a goal completely against the run of play. In the second moment of madness in this game. Danny Coid failed to clear the ball and was caught in possession. Andy Johnson soon latched onto it, in the same way he does for Everton now. This gave him a 1on1 with stand in 'keeper Evans and there was only going to be one winner. Palace where now 1-0 up and pressed for a second.

Dougie Freedman challenged Evans, who pulled off one of the most amazing saves ever. FACT!

Before half time, Grayson whipped in a ball to Taylor who fired a super volley wide. Blackpool made it to Half time 1-0 down. But knew that a inconclusive decision and a Danny Coid moment of madness had cost the Seasiders.

Half Time Blackpool 0 Crystal Palace 1

After half time Blackpool had a shout for a Penalty. A blatant penalty in fact. It was so blatant that twit in the black waved on play. What a tool! We should have been back in the game at this point. But know Mr Danson had other ideas.

However when Palace wanted one, it was given straight away. Simon Grayson made a clumsy tackle, it wasn't dangerous and it's doubtful that had it been made in any other game it would have been given. But this was Danson, who obviously was showing favoritism to higher league team.

Anyway, Grayson's made this silly tackles (not dangerous or malicious!). The Referee's blown for a penalty now in one of the  most cringe worthy tradition of football and yes even I have done this. Hundreds of Seasiders ran behind the back of the goal, at this time it was the norm. They got a penalty, you run down give it the begun and hope you do enough to put them off.

If you did it now and some do, they put a camera on you. Your told off and if your not arrested and/or ejected at that time. PC Piggy and his colleague PC Pork turn up and ban you for a year.

Anyway there's about a thousand Seasiders behind the goal. There all giving the V's, cheering on Evo and suchlike. Then up steps Dougie Freedman. He blasts the ball into the corner, Evans dived the right way. The whole world stood still, hearts beat frantically and then bang. The ball hit the back of the net. Evans pulled the ball out of the back of the net, knowing that the penalty should have never of been.

After the goal Southern came on for Bullock and Sheron for man of the match Wellens. Although I would of gave it to Evans or Murphy. But heck, what do I know.

The 87th minute saw Andy Johnson score from about 18 yards out. The edge of the area, about a yard out from where Barnesy has collected the ball "illegally" in the first half. This put the game out of reach for the Seasiders.

But a cancellation was around the corner. Mike Sheron whipped the ball in. (Although it may have been a shot!) John Murphy met it with his head and smashed it home. There was a small cheer but we all knew we deserved more but it wasn't to be.

Blackpool 1 Crystal Palace 3

This is one of the first games I went to on my own, with Friends. Although I'd been watching since 1997 on and off, this was the one that made me catch the footballing bug. I remember the game to this day, clear as day and I will take the memories of the game to my death.

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