Blackpool and Shrewsbury both started 2025 with a point as they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Bloomfield Road.

It was the visitors who had the better of the opening exchanges with winger Tom Bloxham causing problems down the right-hand side.

The former Morecambe winger neatly created an opening for himself on 10 minutes but his curling effort sailed harmlessly above Harry Tyrer’s crossbar.

The Shrews continued to threaten on the break and they almost went in at the interval ahead.

Left-back Mal Benning, who scored in the reverse fixture between the two teams at the start of last month, hit a rasping drive that Tyrer could only tip around his right-hand post.

Dismayed by his side’s inability to gain control of the game, Blackpool boss Steve Bruce made a quadruple change in the second period’s early knockings and it brought about an immediate impact.

CJ Hamilton, making his first appearance since mid November, laid on an inviting cross for his fellow winger Rob Apter who then fired an emphatic first-time shot past a helpless Jamal Blackman and give The Tangerines the lead.

The goal only served to inspire more fight from the visitors though and their hard work was rewarded with 10 minutes remaining of normal time.

The lively Bloxham finally created himself something to show for his neat work down the right when he cut inside Hayden Coulson and drove home a neat finish to send the away support into raptures.

The result means Blackpool remain winless in the league at home since late September whilst Shrewsbury pull themselves to within five points of safety.