A 1-1 draw between Fulham and Blackpool on Saturday afternoon ensured our Third Round FA Cup with Budweiser tie went to a Replay.

After a goalless first half, Ludovic Sylvestre gave the away side the lead on the hour mark, before Giorgos Karagounis smashed home a fine equaliser with the clock ticking down.

The Whites had the better of the play but we came up against an organised Blackpool team who did well to frustrate throughout.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between in the tie and it came as a massive relief to the home crowd when Karagounis volleyed home with aplomb for his first Fulham goal.

Martin Jol named a strong side for the visit of the npower Championship outfit, keeping the same XI that started the 2-1 win at The Hawthorns on New Year’s Day.

After a tentative opening period with both sides looking to control the game in midfield, it was the Whites who first came close to opening the scoring after eight minutes. A clever lofted pass by Brede Hangeland found Dimitar Berbatov in the area and the subsequent Blackpool tackle that came in nearly saw the ball roll inside the far post. Unfortunately, it went just the wrong side for a corner.

Only a fine David Stockdale save prevented the away side from taking a shock lead four minutes later. Veteran striker Kevin Phillips held the ball up well in the penalty area before laying off to Thomas Ince whose venomous shot looked in all the way, only for Stockdale to superbly palm over for a corner.

The Whites were awarded a free-kick in a decent area on 17 minutes after Bryan Ruiz was scythed down after ghosting beyond two Tangerine shirts. The dead-ball situation had Ruiz written all over it and the playmaker didn’t disappoint with his effort, bending a sumptuous shot towards the far post that Matt Gilks did well to tip behind for a corner.

Fulham were pressing and went close once again a few minutes later. Alexander Kacaniklic’s quick feet saw him create space inside the penalty area in front of the Putney End and he found Ashkan Dejagah with his cross, only for the Iran international to fire narrowly wide.

Despite the home side dominating matters, the Seasiders weren’t without their threat and only a last-gasp Steve Sidwell tackle prevented Sylvestre from taking a shot on 10 yards from goal after Phillips had played him in.

Neat interplay between Berbatov and Ruiz on 29 minutes saw the former play in Kacaniklic down the left. The winger cut inside onto his right foot and unleashed a well-struck strike but it was always rising and never caused Gilks any real concern.

Ince and Phillips were the visitors’ biggest threats and the pair linked up again on the half-hour mark as the 39-year-old striker flicked the ball to Ince who drew another good save from Stockdale.

Matthew Briggs was proving a useful outlet down the left and the young full-back did well to control a high ball on the edge of the box on 41 minutes, before he volleyed just over the angle of crossbar and post.

Nine minutes into the second period Jol looked to introduce a different attacking impetus as Hugo Rodallega entered the action as a replacement for Dejagah.

The first meaningful attack of the half resulted in the first goal as Blackpool took the lead – although it wasn’t without its controversy. Phillips appeared to control the ball with his arm in the middle of the park before feeding Nathan Delfouneso down the left. The attacker held the ball up well before laying off to Sylvestre who coolly opened up his body to finish beyond Stockdale’s reach and inside the far post.

Fulham were struggling to find a rhythm and a dragged Sidwell effort on 68 minutes was their first response to the Tangerines’ goal. Jol played his next card moments later as Kieran Richardson came on for Kacaniklic, before then replacing Briggs with Kerim Frei.

The Whites needed something special and that necessary moment of magic was provided by Karagounis on 80 minutes. Ruiz’s corner was cleared only as far as the Greek on the edge of the area and the 35-year-old smashed a beautiful volley over Gilks and just under the bar at the far post to equalise for Fulham.

Encouraged by a vociferous crowd, the home side pushed for a winner and Richardson went on a purposeful run with five minutes remaining, only to drag his shot wide. And the Whites went within a whisker of nicking the win two minutes later. Richardson delivered an inch-perfect cross which Ruiz headed back across goal and against the crossbar.

Rodallega went close as we entered stoppage time and probably will feel he should have done better when he headed Ruiz’s cross wide in what proved to be the last chance of the match.