TOM SAVES THE BEST FOR LAST

TOM EAVES came off the bench to earn a valuable late point for 10-man Hull.

It looked bleak for the Tigers as skipper Lewie Coyle picked up a second booking with 10 minutes left as they trailed to Shayne Lavery’s first-half volley.

But Grant McCann’s men showed character to level when Eaves fired home a Keane Lewis-Potter cross six minutes from time – just their second goal in 13-and-a-half hours.

And only a fine late save from Chris Maxwell prevented sub Tyler Smith from grabbing a dramatic late winner.

Lavery’s sixth goal of the campaign, and his second in as many matches, looked to have sealed the latest victory for upwardly-mobile Blackpool.

Confidence-starved City were booed off at half-time as Mallik Wilks summed up their troubles in front of goal, wasting a great chance to break the deadlock.

Maxwell’s sliced clearance fell invitingly in the box, but the opening went begging as the out-of-touch striker took too long to get a shot away and his tame effort was blocked.

It proved costly when Lavery (above) volleyed Demetri Mitchell’s cross into the roof of the net from a dozen yards three minutes before the break.

Hull dominated the secondhalf and Maxwell had to be alert to beat out Greg Docherty’s low shot and the busy keeper also denied George Moncur.

Blackpool were always a threat on the break as City left gaps at the back and they almost doubled their lead when Keshi Anderson went close from long range, before Hull were reduced to 10 men after Coyle’s second yellow.

It looked to be the end of their hopes of salvaging a draw, but Eaves had other ideas as he swept home Lewis-Potter’s centre to earn them a point.