Stern John rescued a point for Southampton but manager Nigel Pearson has now failed to secure a victory in five games since taking charge of the Championship strugglers.

John notched his 16th goal of the season in the 63rd minute to tie the scores after strikes from Keith Southern and Kaspars Gorkss overturned Saints' half-time lead provided by Gregory Vignal's penalty.

John's strike saved Pearson and the point could yet prove crucial in Southampton's bid to move away from the relegation zone.

Saints have now not won in their last 10 Championship outings and were at times outplayed by Simon Grayson's side.

They arrived at Bloomfield Road just five points above the relegation zone and had to withstand several early scares before taking the lead.

Wes Hoolahan - Blackpool's highly-rated midfielder - drilled a left-foot shot narrowly wide in the 19th minute.

Barely a minute later, Blackpool striker Steve McPhee drilled in a right-foot shot which drew a fine block from Jermaine Wright.

The Seasiders threatened again in the 24th minute when on-loan Manchester City striker Paul Dickov crossed from the right - and Ian Evatt rose highest to head goalwards at the far post.

Former Middlesbrough defender Andrew Davies blocked Evatt's header and Southampton breathed again.

They were fortunate to escape once again in the 27th minute when Claus Jorgensen drilled in a right-foot shot from 18 yards which Saints goalkeeper Michael Poke did well to tip over the bar.

Having survived Blackpool's early pressure, the visitors forged ahead shortly after the half-hour mark when John embarked on a mazy run deep in Southampton territory.

Gorkss committed a clumsy foul on the former Sunderland forward, and Vignal dispatched the ball from 12 yards with his left foot.

Four minutes before the break, Marek Saganowski cracked a left-footed shot from 18 yards narrowly wide of Paul Rachubka's goal.

Blackpool responded in style after the break and needed just four minutes to find an equaliser.

It came when defender Shaun Barker crossed dangerously from the right and midfielder Southern headed powerfully home from 12 yards.

Six minutes later, Blackpool forged ahead when Latvia international defender Gorkss volleyed in left-footed after Southampton failed to clear a cross from Stephen Crainey.

It was the centre-back's seventh goal of the season and put the Seasiders on course for victory.

However, Southampton dug deep and were rewarded in the 63rd minute when John bundled the ball home after Rachubka had repelled a close-range header from Jason Euell.

Teams:

Blackpool Rachubka, Barker, Gorkss, Evatt, Crainey, Taylor-Fletcher (Morrell 87), Southern, Jorgensen (Flynn 68), Hoolahan, Dickov (Burgess 68), McPhee.

Subs Not Used: Coid, Welsh.

Booked: Taylor-Fletcher.

Goals: Southern 49, Gorkss 55.

Southampton Poke, Wright, Davies (Ostlund 59), Thomas, Vignal, Viafara, Safri, Euell, Licka, John (McGoldrick 73), Saganowski (Wright-Phillips 72).

Subs Not Used: Hammill, Gillett.

Goals: Vignal 31 pen, John 63.

Att: 9,050

Ref: David Foster (Tyne & Wear).