Blackpool comeback stuns Forest
DJ Campbell scored a dramatic second-half hat-trick as Blackpool sealed their place in the Championship play-off final with a devastating display of counter-attacking football at Nottingham Forest yesterday.
Blackpool twice came from behind to defeat a Forest side that had been unbeaten in 20 home games and had not conceded at the City Ground in more than 12 hours.
Forest manager Billy Davies indicated after his team lost Saturday's first-leg tie 2-1 that he expected a strong performance at home - and when Robert Earnshaw struck early for Forest that appeared to be on the cards.
But Campbell's deft strike after the break levelled and despite Earnshaw smashing another for Forest, Pool struck three in seven devastating minutes to seal victory.
Substitute Stephen Dobbie had a hand in all three, scoring with a deflected strike after 72 minutes before creating an opening Campbell converted and then seeing his strike parried for the Tangerines' red-hot striker to complete his hat-trick.
Dele Adebola struck a close-range consolation but Blackpool took a 6-4 aggregate victory as Ian Holloway's team continued a scintillating run of form that had seen them win seven of their previous nine games.
"I am very proud," Blackpool manager Ian Holloway told BBC Sport.
"We knew it would be tough and I didn't know if we would have the answers to the questions they asked.
"I said it would have to be the best we have ever played if we were to do it - and I think it was the best we have ever played."
"We are still learning and still evolving but we have achieved something mega.
"We are within 90 minutes of playing in the Premier League and that is unbelievable."
Forest manager Billy Davies said: "In big games you have to be confident enough to get on the ball and show composure and bravery and an arrogance second to none, but we didn't do that tonight.
"Credit to Blackpool, they handled it better than we did. We had too many players freeze on the night.
"These young players froze on the night. Young players that have been outstanding all season and who did great to finish third - it was just too much tonight.
"But don't take anything away from Blackpool, they deserved it and I wish them all the best in the final. I hope they win it."