Ian Evatt hailed Blackpool’s “character” to earn a point at Wanderers but admitted there was a tinge of frustration not to leave with all three.
Eoin Toal had opened the scoring but the Seasiders hit back through Hayden Coulson and George Honeyman’s quickfire double.
Evatt was on track for a winning return to the Toughsheet Stadium until Mason Burstow’s header five minutes from time, and Ashley Fletcher was denied by the woodwork in the final stages.
“At the minute I'm frustrated we didn't get all three, to be honest. The boys showed great character to come from a goal down,” the former Bolton boss reflected.
“I think we just conceded too many set plays today, too many corners in the first half. We defended them great.
“But when you concede that many, sooner or later they're going to get an opportunity. They got one and they took it, but our response was excellent.
“The subs energised us and we knew that would happen. We felt like if we were in the game at 60 minutes we could impact the game from the bench. With George returning, I thought he was brilliant to set the tone really.
“After that, I think we got control of the game really and looked like we were going to score. Even when it went to 2-2, it was us with the big chances at the end. Ash probably should score, not so much the one off the post but the header.
“We were frustrated, all of us, that it went on Josh's (Bowler) right foot and not his left. I think on his left he probably scores. So a good advert for the game, two brilliant football clubs going toe-to-toe. That's what football is about, isn't it?”
Evatt admitted it was “very strange” to be back at Wanderers as the opposition manager just over a year on from his exit.
“As I said, there's no ill feeling from me towards this football club,” he added. “It's given me four-and-a-half brilliant years. I've met some wonderful people and proud that I've managed a football club of this stature.
“But I'm now the head coach of a football club that means the absolute world to me for personal reasons, and I've got that opportunity.
“Today was all about winning for my football club. We didn't manage to do it, but I think we gave a pretty good account of ourselves.
“I think both fans will probably come away today and think, what an entertaining game of football, and that's what football should be about.”
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