Blackpool 0
Stevenage 0
League (League One)

Match report written by Neil Metcalfe, The Comet

Stevenage took a point on their final away game of 2024 at a windy Blackpool.

The conditions didn't help with the quality on show but Boro will be happy with the clean sheet in the 0-0 draw.

Stevenage kept the same side that started in the victory at home to Stockport County last time out, and there was the same bench too.

The theory behind that may partly have been to get them a fast start.

As it turned out, it was Blackpool who were quickest out of the blocks, with a couple of raids down the right flanks causing problems.

One needed the combined presence of Nathan Thompson and Murphy Cooper to clear while the second was headed out to the edge of the area for Albie Morgan to volley towards goal.

Cooper pushed that away diving to his left.

A corner from that right side gave Kyle Joseph a chance to run onto it but the header slid just wide of the post.

Boro knew they would face an examination but having seen that off, they set about to do something at the other end.

A shot by Louis Thompson swerved at the last moment and gave keeper Harry Tyrer some issues, hitting his hands and bouncing behind, and the keeper looked less than convincing in moments.

It was therefore a shame that Boro never tested him much more.

Jamie Reid did skip into the box on two occasions but the cross that came was blocked both times.

Tweaks were needed at the break to make Boro more of a threat going forward and they were much more positive in the opening 10 minutes, helped by the continuing inclination of Tyrer to punch rather than catch.

It helped create opportunities but they never took them, much like the home side in the first period.

And the introduction of Jordan Rhodes in the final 20 minutes helped give Blackpool a boost, on the pitch and in the stands.

One header from a corner needed tipped over the top by Cooper while Carl Piergianni had to make a couple of vital blocks.

The second half was blighted by a nasty looking injury to Louis Thompson as he blocked a shot but the seven minutes of injury time that came saw Boro finally back on the front foot.

And they felt they should have had a penalty on the last play, Jordan Roberts going down under a tackle from Odeluga Offiah.

Nothing came from that but a solid point in a solid away defensive performance is not a bad Christmas present.