Rob Edwards grabbed a late equaliser as managerless Blackpool held Championship leaders Wolves to a draw at Bloomfield Road.

Matt Jarvis' 70th-minute strike looked likely to be the winner for Mick McCarthy's men, after Gary Taylor-Fletcher had cancelled out Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's penalty in an entertaining first half.

However, Blackpool refused to give in and snatched a share of the spoils when Edwards bundled in from close range with six minutes remaining.

The point was no more than the Seasiders deserved following a spirited display in which they more than matched Mick McCarthy's side, who now hold a seven-point advantage at the top of the table.

Blackpool caretaker manager Tony Parkes made one change to the side which drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day, with former Leeds full-back Ian Harte making his debut in place of versatile teenager Joe Martin.

Matthew Hill and Michael Mancienne were brought into the Wolves side, with Stephen Ward dropping to the bench and highly-rated winger Michael Kightly missing out through suspension.

The game began at a frenetic pace and Wolves took the lead after just four minutes.

Edwards hauled down Chris Iwelumo in the area as the striker looked to turn and Ebanks-Blake made no mistake with the resulting spot-kick, sending Paul Rachubka the wrong way with a powerful strike into the bottom left corner.

Blackpool responded well and after seeing a penalty appeal of their own turned down following Hill's challenge on Taylor-Fletcher, the home side equalised in the 10th minute.

Shaun Barker's long throw from the right was flicked on by Ian Evatt and Taylor-Fletcher sneaked in at the far post to divert the ball past Wayne Hennessey.

The Seasiders almost took the lead four minutes later, but Alan Gow missed his kick from eight yards after a quick free-kick had released Taylor-Fletcher down the right.

Blackpool came close again soon after as Gow's curling left-footed effort was tipped wide by Hennessey, while Matt Jarvis drilled a shot narrowly off target for Wolves after 39 minutes following a fine solo run.

The opening stages of the second half failed to produce the same excitement as was generated in the first 10 minutes of the match, although Wolves substitute Ward almost made an immediate impact shortly after the hour mark as he diverted Jarvis' right-wing cross agonisingly wide of the near post.

The visitors missed another chance to take the lead for a second time after 63 minutes, following an error by the experienced Evatt.

Iwelumo pounced on the defender's poor clearance and fed Jarvis, but his shot was superbly saved by Rachubka, who deflected the ball away for a corner.

Sam Vokes replaced Iwelumo five minutes later as McCarthy looked to freshen up his forward line, and Wolves went back in front moments later as a perfectly weighted pass from Ebanks-Blake released Jarvis, who this time made no mistake as he lifted the ball over the onrushing Rachubka.

However, Blackpool refused to be beaten and after Evatt had beaten Hennessey to Kyel Reid's right-wing free-kick, Edwards was on hand to smash the ball home from point blank range.

Vokes went close for Wolves in the dying minutes with a clever backheeled effort, but the hosts held on for a valuable point.

Teams:

Blackpool Rachubka, Barker, Edwards, Evatt, Harte (Martin 74), Taylor-Fletcher (Vaughan 89), Southern, Fox, Reid, Gow, Dickinson (Burgess 81).

Subs Not Used: Gilks, Nardiello.

Booked: Martin.

Goals: Taylor-Fletcher 10, Edwards 84.

Wolverhampton Hennessey, Stearman, Mancienne, Collins, Hill (Ward 57), Foley, Edwards (Jones 26), Henry, Jarvis, Ebanks-Blake, Iwelumo (Vokes 67).

Subs Not Used: Ikeme, Keogh.

Booked: Stearman, Jones, Ward.

Goals: Ebanks-Blake 4 pen, Jarvis 70.

Att: 8,906

Ref: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).