Huddersfield Town 2 Blackpool 2: Terriers show why Liam Manning era might just be eventful

Consistently inconsistent is a charge you can level at Town regarding 2025-26 so far and this had all the makings of being one of their disappointing days against a side who were rapidly becoming a real bogey team.

Against an accomplished Blackpool side who made a mockery of their recent form - they had lost five of their last six league outings - Town turned in an unconvincing performance and a defensively meek one, for sure, to trail 2-0. Certainly for the first hour.

And then it all changed as Manning's Town showed their strong jaw, with their substitutes putting their hand up in a big way. In the dying minutes, they even made a case for winning it after their late highs seven days earlier at Peterborough United.

Marcus Harness gave the hosts a lifeline on 75 minutes and Cameron Ashia netted a late equaliser as Blackpool rocked.

Earlier, poor concessions saw the outstanding Ashley Fletcher - with his 19th of the season - and Karoy Anderson put the Seasiders 2-0 up at the interval.

Revived by some changes by Manning, Town belatedly made a real game of it in the final quarter after Harness pulled a goal back with a thumping header on 75 minutes.

Ashia kicked the door down as Manning's unbeaten start to his Town tenure was extended to a fourth match.

It was a tougher watch earlier, for sure.

Yes, there were grumbles at the performance of referee Ross Joyce and his officials, especially in the first half, but Town's fitful defending should have been the main gripe.

Both concessions were very sloppy indeed, with the hosts missing the authority of Joe Low.

That said, it could have been different if Bali Mumba had converted a heaven-sent opportunity when the game was goalless.

Not too long after the excellent Fletcher struck after dreadful defending from a Leighton Clarkson corner. He was involved in Pool's second from debutant Anderson. It was another clinical finish, but did not paint the Terriers backline' in any glory whatsoever.

A third almost arrived on the whistle, with Michael Ihiekwe's effort landing on the roof of the net following Clarkson's corner. Again, a visiting player was left totally unmarked.

Town made three changes with Josh Feeney, Cameron Humphreys and Lynden Gooch coming in for Lasse Sorensen and David Kasumu - who were both named on the bench - and the injured Low.

New signings Reuell Walters, Anderson and Clarkson all started for Blackpool.

The early signs were that Blackpool had come to West Yorkshire to play. But gradually, Huddersfield started to assert themselves.

Dion Charles, shown the door by the Seasiders as a youngster, was comfortably the best home player in the first period and was involved in their two big moments.

First, he did superbly to wriggle clear down the right before unleashing a fierce strike which hit the outside of the post and flew into the side-netting with Bailey Peacock-Farrell picking up a blow for his troubles.

Then, Charles got away down the right and fired a low cross across goal, with Mumba, at the full-stretch, unable to steer the ball into the empty net.

Town were punished, courtesy of Fletcher.

Clarkson's deep corner found Husband on the far side, in total isolation. He was able to chest the ball and lob it back towards goal.

After moving inside, Clarkson, on the byline, turned the ball back into the box and Fletcher finished low past Nicholls, who was unable to keep his effort out.

It got worse.

Fletcher got the better of Wallace. Michael Obafemi picked up ball and spotted Walters in space on the right. His juicy cross was headed home clinically by Anderson.

In fairness, Blackpool don't look anything like a side who had the second worst away record in League One ahead of this game.

With his side in arrears for the first time since his arrival, it constituted Manning's biggest test to date, although he has had a few so far in fairness.

There were no changes in personnel at the break, but a formational switch to a back four.

It was not the precursor to the narrative changing, initially.

Ragged at the back, Town were fortunate not to concede after really meek defensive work from Mumba and McGuane.

Fletcher was the beneficiary and only a fine one-handed save from Nicholls kept out his fine volley. It was a big moment in the context of the game.

Recent signing Bobby Wales was soon called for by Manning, alongside David Kasumu. Further changes would also arrive. Town had more of the ball, but their supporters badly needed something to sink their teeth into. Eventually, they got it.

Mickel Miller showed great tenacity, before the ball found fellow replacement Lasse Sorensen and his cross from the right was met by Harness, who buried a cracking header past Seasiders keeper Peacock-Farrell.

Suddenly, it was a game once more and Blackpool started to look edgy.

Ashia then levelled it up, heading home clinically after being picked out by Mumba after good initial work from the impressive Miller.

Huddersfield Town: Nicholls; Balker, Wallace, Feeney (Miller 64); Gooch (Sorensen 64), Ledson. McGuane (Ashia 85), Mumba; Harness, Humphreys (Kasumu 56); Charles (Wales 57). Substitutes unused: Alnwick, Alves.

Blackpool: Peacock-Farrell; Casey, Ihiekwe, Husband; Walters, Brown, Clarkson (Finnigan 80), Hamilton (Ashworth 90); Anderson; Fletcher (Ennis 80), Obafemi (Bloxham 72). Substitutes unused: Ravizzoli, Bowler, Richardson.

Referee: R Joyce (Teesside).