Blackpool On The Brink Thanks To Stephen Dobbie

Last updated : 13 May 2010 By Lord Palmerston

HAT-TRICK hitman DJ Campbell last night placed Blackpool on the brink of England's top flight for the first time since 1971 - with more than a little help from Scot Stephen Dobbie.

Leading 2-1 from the first leg of their Championship semi-final play-off Ian Holloway's Seasiders defied the odds to crush Billy Davies' Nottingham Forest.

Despite leading twice thanks to a Rob Earnshaw double, Blackpool - led and inspired by ex-Ranger Charlie Adam - fought back for a memorable win.

Campbell hit his treble in a dramatic second half while Dobbie came off the bench to score and set up two for his strike partner.

Ironically, Dobbie was shipped out on loan to Bloomfield Road by Swansea, who just missed out on a play-off spot due to their lack of goals.

But he will now run out at Wembley on May 22 along with fellow Scots Adam, Stephen Crainey and Barry Bannan.

Earnshaw hit the opner in seven minutes. Radoslaw Majeski's through ball found the Welshman who stroked it passed Matt Gilks into the bottom corner.

But Blackpool didn't buckle and Adam began pulling the strings. His long-range strike in 27 minutes looked set for the top corner but Lee Camp pulled off a fine save.

Earnshaw had the ball in the net within two minutes of the restart but as the little striker wheeled away to celebrate, he was flagged for offside.

Blackpool got back in front on aggregate in 56 minutes.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher pounced on a loose ball and his pass found Campbell who enticed Camp towards him before producing a delicate finish over the keeper.

The strike sent Blackpool's 2000-strong travelling support into delirium. But it wasn't long before Earnshaw struck again. Cohen's cross was touched on by Dexter Blackstock and Forest's pocket dynamo smashed the ball home to level the tie.

Dobbie was thrown on by Holloway to try to grab a golden goal and he obliged with 18 minutes left. As the ball broke to him outside the box his right-foot blast took a wicked deflection which took it away from Camp.

Dobbie set up Blackpool's third in 76 minutes. He played an exquisite one-two with Campbell who curled the ball beyond Camp.

Then Dobbie, who was playing with Queen of the South last term, saw a fierce shot saved by Camp but Campbell was there to knock home the rebound. Sub Dele Adebola tapped home in injury time - too late for Forest.