James Vaughan scored his 10th goal of the season to earn Huddersfield Town a point – but missed the penalty which would have made it three.
Already-booked Angel Martinez’s foul on Sean Scannell provided the spot-kick opportunity on 82 minutes and brought the Blackpool man a red card.
But Vaughan lashed the ball against the bar , and Blackpool, who had bossed he first half to lead through Ricardo Fuller, breathed a huge sigh of relief.
It was a different story in the second half as Town, inspired by an exciting appearance from Duane Holmes , handed his league debut as a substitute, hit back.
The teenager played in Vaughan to drive home a 62nd-minute equaliser, and also set up Scannell to win the penalty in an enthralling clash in front of the Sky cameras.
After the sweeping changes for the Capital One Cup tie at Hull on Tuesday, it was business as usual in terms of team selection for Town.
The only alteration to the starting side which drew 0-0 at Blackburn last Saturday was the inclusion of midfielder Ollie Norwood.
Adam Hammill reverted to right wing-back, Jazz Richards moved across to the left and Paul Dixon dropped out of the squad.
Blackpool, playing a 4-3-2-1 system, did a great job of keeping possession in the opening stages, but there were no clear-cut chances in the opening 10 minutes.
When visiting frontman Fuller did break into the box, Town skipper Peter Clarke was quick to intercept and clear.
Town finally broke through Blackpool’s tight marking on 12 minutes, but Vaughan was unable to get his shot on target after Jon Stead and Hammill combined neatly.
Tom Ince’s ambitious long-range free-kick was blocked before Chris Basham’s ball across the face of goal had the home defenders scrambling.
Keeper Alex Smithies then allowed Kirk Broadfoot’s deep cross through his grasp, but recovered to collect the ball, then had to come out of his area to clear from the onrushing Ince.
Town had a decent-looking penalty claim turned down when Vaughan was floored by Craig Cathcart’s challenge as he met Stead’s pass.
And while the crowd were still deliberating referee Scott Mathieson’s decision, Blackpool claimed a 27th-minute lead.
Former Charlton man Fuller made the most of defensive hesitancy by Town to dribble past Smithies and touch the ball home from close range.
The goal reflected Blackpool’s grip on the game, while Town boss Mark Robins switched Hammill and Richards in an attempt to
contain the visitors.
Ince continued to cause problems, however, and after he cut in from the left, Smithies had to paw away his shot.
Then it took a timely challenge from Joel Lynch to thwart the former Liverpool player before Vaughan had the ball in the Blackpool net only to be ruled offside.
Television replays showed Vaughan to be onside when he headed in Stead’s cross, but there was no denying Blackpool were the better side in the first half.
Town emerged for the second period with Sean Scannell on for Jonathan Hogg and lined up pin a 4-4-2, with Lynch at left-back and Hammill pushed upfield.
The change almost paid immediate dividends when Hammill won a free-kick on the right, which he flighted in for Vaughan to test keeper Matt Gilks with a header.
Town made a second change on 56 minutes, with Holmes replacing Stead and receiving a great reception from the home fans.
While Town were looking livelier, Blackpool remained a threat, and Cathcart came close with a header from Ince's corner on the hour.
But Holmes was having a galvanising effect, and his slick through ball set up Vaughan for a well-struck leveller in the 62nd minute.
Now Blackpool were looking nervy, and Vaughan had another penalty appeal dismissed as he tripped over Cathcart’s outstretched leg.
The game had become both exciting and open, with both sides pushing forward at every opportunity going into the final 10 minutes.
