Blackpool 1-1 Bristol City
Adam Baker reports Bloomfield Road

City ended the 2009/10 season with a 1-1 draw at play-off-bound Blackpool.

Nicky Maynard's stunning first-half strike - his 21st goal of the season - threatened to spoil the party for Ian Holloway's side.

But Swansea's result elsewhere meant Pool, who equalised on through Brett Ormerod on 54 minutes, completed the campaign in the top six.

For City, they end the season in tenth place - an identical position to the previous campaign.

City fans get into the party spirit on the final day of the season

Blackpool came at City like a steam train early and Lewin Nyatanga was quickly forced to head the ball inches over his own crossbar under pressure from Ian Evatt.

Charlie Adam - the newly-crowned Pool player of the season - fired horribly wide from ten yards moments later after a goal-mouth scramble.

City finally settled and the initial fast-paced action, with equally vociferous support from the stands, began to fade.

And the visitors silenced Bloomfield Road further by taking a shock 16th minute lead through none other than Maynard.

A long ball forward from Dean Gerken was glanced on by Marvin Elliott into the path of City's top scorer. After taking a neat first touch, Maynard took advantage of Matthew Gilks' advanced position to send a superb dipping half-volley over the Pool keeper and into the net.

Nicky Maynard celebrates his 21st goal of the season

Ormerod's low angled shot was comfortably saved by Gerken, who was called into action again on 23 minutes when David Vaughan's inswinging corner which almost went straight in. City's stopper did well at his near post to parry the ball out from the goal-line and the danger was gone.

City lost Cole Skuse to injury on the half-hour - replaced by Lee Johnson - and soon after Elliott teased a shot into the side-netting after good work from Ivan Sproule.

Clearly given a rocket from their manager Ian Holloway at the interval, Blackpool once again came flying out of the traps.

Gerken denied Ormerod with his feet but could do nothing to stop him equalising for the hosts on 54 minutes after Louis Carey had given away a soft-looking free kick.

Striker Brett Ormerod levelled for play-off-bound Blackpool

Adam swung the ball in and from a couple of yards out Ormerod's diving header found the bottom corner for 1-1.

Now Bloomfield Road was rocking as substitute Stephen Dobbie shot wide from distance.

Maynard was still getting opportunities to improve his tally at the other end, twice fluffing his lines after being given the freedom of Blackpool by the home defence.

Ormerod should have put Pool in front on the hour when Gary Sawyer's clearance sliced high into the air and put the home striker clean through on goal. Ormerod almost had too much time and allowed Gerken to advance and narrow the angle, in the end making a smart save with his body.

A rasping drive from 25 yards by Dobbie forced Gerken into a fingertip save.

There was late drama as Campbell-Ryce forced a superb save from Gilks and then Ben Burgess headed over the top.

In the end the goalless draw at Swansea sparked mass celebrations amongst the Pool ranks, with fans spilling on to the pitch at the end in joyous scenes.

It was celebration time for Blackpool at the final whistle