Nottingham Forest 3 Blackpool 4 (Aggregate 4-6): DJ Campbell hat-trick fires Ian Holloway's men into Championship play-off final

By Neil Moxley

Match-winner: DJ Campbell (right) beats Forest goalkeeper Lee Camp to score


DJ Campbell's first ever hat-trick fired Blackpool to Wembley - but he may not be able to play if his parent club Leicester make it past Cardiff tonight.

Former non-League forward Campbell sent Ian Holloway's side to the Championship play-off final on Saturday week with a three-goal burst in 24 minutes, taking advantage of an uncharacteristic second-half defensive collapse by Forest.

Before last night, Billy Davies's side had not conceded at home in more than 12 hours. Yet, despite twice pulling themselves level on the night thanks to Rob Earnshaw, they fell apart in eight second-half minutes to put Blackpool within sight of a return to the top flight for the first time in 39 years.


They stand 90 minutes away from the riches of the Barclays Premier League. And at the heart of it all was Campbell, on loan from Leicester, who tonight travel to Cardiff for the other play-off semi-final, trailing 1-0 from the first leg.

Holloway said: 'It's a fantastic achievement. I said to go through this would have to be the best game we ever play. And it was.

'What do I need to say about DJ? He looks good in our colours but he won't be able to play if we face Leicester. They have inserted a clause in his contract. I think he deserves to play but Leicester have something to say about that.'

It has been a whirlwind few weeks for Campbell. Last month he was taken from the training pitch by police who wanted to question him over a stabbing incident outside a London nightclub.


Hero: DJ Campbell celebrates after sending Blackpool to Wembley

But it was all good news last night, the culmination of a superb evening's work by Holloway's side. At the halfway stage last night, they had dominated possession, only to find themselves trailing to a trademark Earnshaw finish after he had slotted home after Radoslaw Majewski's pass was allowed to run into his path.

Blackpool, however, never strayed from their game-plan and were rewarded when Gary Taylor-Fletcher spotted Campbell peeling away down the right. It was a direct race to the ball between him and Forest's keeper Lee Camp. Campbell won it, squeezing his shot into an empty net to put Blackpool back in front overall


Tangerine dream: Stephen Dobbie celebrates his strike that made it 2-2

But 10 minutes later, Earnshaw struck again. Dexter Blackstock made a nuisance of himself as he contested Chris Gunter's right-wing cross and Earnshaw joyously lashed the ball home.

But then, Forest's evening took a turn for the worst. Holloway can claim a share of the credit for sending on Stephen Dobbie. Within three minutes, Blackpool had drawn level. David Vaughan set up the much-travelled striker, whose drive from the edge of the area took a deflection off Wes Morgan and entered the net.

With that goal, Forest totally lost their concentration and Campbell cashed in. A one-two with Dobbie ended with the forward, who had a spell in the Premier League with Birmingham, finding another finish.


Opener: Striker Rob Earshaw gives Forest the lead on the night


Then three minutes later Dobbie's shot rebounded to him as Forest pushed forward. He had the simplest of opportunities to sidefoot into an empty net, sending the 2,000 travelling fans into raptures.

Campbell then came within a whisker of adding his fourth, seeing the bar come to Forest's rescue as Blackpool ran riot.

An injury-time goal from Dele Adebola did little to salvage any pride for Forest. Manager Davies said: 'I don't think we showed enough bravery. We had too many players who froze on the night.'

source: dailymail