First teenager David Cotterill tapped Bristol City into an 85th minute lead and then in added on time Matthew Blinkhorn snatched an equaliser for Blackpool.
A week after Swansea blasted seven goals past them, Bristol were thinking a clean sheet would be a cause for celebration when a bad mistake by Blackpool's Mark McGregor opened the game.
He gave the ball away to Marcus Stewart on the byline to the right of goal and the ex-Sunderland striker rolled it towards the far post where 17-year old Cotterill was waiting to score his second goal in two games.
It looked like being the winner until the 91st minute when Blackpool, winning a corner on the left, saw Blinkhorn force his way through the home defensive shield to thrust in a short header.
After their Swansea debacle Bristol made seven changes and also shed manager Brian Tinnion.
But from the start City's re-shaped side had trouble down the left from Simon Wiles who carried too much speed for left-back Craig Woodman.
There was an early signal of intent when he cut inside and thundered a shot against the angle from the edge of the box.
City had two more Wiles-inspired escapes before they were able to tighten up on him at half time.
Blackpool had also been given too much room in midfield but it was a mistake by their left-back, Rob Edwards, a one time Bristol player, which almost cost them the lead.
He allowed a high ball to bounce away from him to put Steve Gillespie in for a shot but, surprised by his gift, he didn't quite get behind it.
Meanwhile a personal feud was developing between Peter Clarke in the Blackpool defence and City's strikers Stewart and Gillespie. All three were booked before it quietened down.
There were three other bookings in a match noted more for its hope than its passion.