Blackpool striker Brett Ormerod scored against former club Nottingham Forest as the Seasiders secured Coca-Cola Championship survival despite going down to 10 men.

Dexter Blackstock was on hand to smash in from close range as Billy Davies' side took the lead before Ormerod - who enjoyed a loan spell with Forest during their promotion from League One last season - grabbed the equaliser.

Ian Evatt was sent-off in the 67th minute to ensure a nervy finale at Bloomfield Road but the hosts held on for a point which sees them safe.

Norwich currently occupy the final relegation spot but are not in action until Monday night and Forest are now four points clear of the Canaries.

Blackpool were led out by coach Steve Thompson as caretaker manager Tony Parkes missed the game due to personal reasons.

Forest came into the game on the back of a four-match unbeaten run that had lifted them clear of danger but it was the home side who started brightly.

David Vaughan got on the end of Charlie Adam's third-minute cross to force goalkeeper Paul Smith into an excellent save before Stephen Crainey tested Smith from the edge of the area.

But Forest broke well to take the lead in the ninth minute with their first attack.

The ball was moved down the left and when Chris Cohen dug out a cross to the near post, Blackstock got ahead of the defence to steer a volley past Paul Rachubka from the corner of the six-yard box.

Forest midfielder Isaiah Osbourne dragged a shot wide at the end of another slick break before Ormerod levelled matters on the half-hour.

Vaughan won the ball and picked out Ormerod, who raced clear of the defence before drilling a low shot across Smith to find the back of the net.

Davies replaced defender Ian Breckin with midfielder Garath McCleary at the break as he searched for a winner and Forest came close to a breakthrough with 20 minutes remaining after Evatt saw red.

Joe Garner was played clear and Evatt cynically hauled him down to leave referee Jon Moss with no option but to send him off for a professional foul.

Cohen took the resulting free-kick and was only denied by a brilliant save from Rachubka, and when Joel Lynch crossed the loose ball back in Luke Chambers could only head over the crossbar.

Ormerod then shanked an effort wide at the other end before James Perch had the last chance for Forest.

Substitute Robert Earnshaw managed to put a cross into the goalmouth and Perch got up well but headed straight at Rachubka.

Teams:

Blackpool Rachubka, Baptiste, Barker, Evatt, Crainey, Small (Coid 70), Southern, Adam, Vaughan,Ormerod (Jorgensen 90), Campbell.

Subs Not Used: Gilks, Burgess, Hughes.

Sent Off: Evatt (68).

Booked: Adam, Crainey.

Goals: Ormerod 30.

Nottm Forest Smith, Chambers, Morgan, Breckin (McCleary 46), Lynch, Gunter, Perch, Osbourne (Earnshaw 70),Cohen (McGugan 85), Garner, Blackstock.

Subs Not Used: Redmond, Thornhill.

Booked: Chambers, Garner.

Goals: Blackstock 9.

Att: 9,279

Ref: Jon Moss (W Yorkshire).