Two-goal Phillips sends Albion's top

The 34-year-old striker spent the first 66 minutes at Bloomfield Road as a substitute, watching his side outplayed by opposition desperate for points themselves to ease their relegation fears.

Even when he was sent on he had to wait to make an impact.

Then, after 80 minutes, he hit the equaliser from a penalty and touched in a second two minutes later before Ishmael Miller struck a surprise third.

It was more than any of their fans in the uncovered section of the ground could have dreamed of as Blackpool took a deserved lead through a Ben Burgess header after 34 minutes from a Stephen Crainey free-kick.

He had already sent a header against the underside of the bar from another Crainey free-kick and Blackpool looked much more likely to double their lead than the Albion did to level the scores — until that closing burst.

But the lost cause was saved when Carl Hoefkens chased the ball into the home penalty area and was fouled by Crainey.

Referee Jon Moss had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Phillips had no hesitation in deciding what he would do.

He hit the ball hard and low to the right of Paul Rachubka.

The ball hit the inside of the left post and went in.

Blackpool had no time to recover before they went behind.

Miller made a driving run down the right, powered in a low angled shot and Phillips was on hand to apply the final touch.

Those visiting fans, so dejected after Saturday's Wembley setback, were ecstatic.

And it got even better after 86 minutes as Miller, so quiet for much of the proceedings, ran into the right of the penalty area before dispatching a shot with his left foot up into the far corner of the net.

Top place, above Bristol City on goal difference, was assured after the three points looked well out of reach for so long.

Manager Tony Mowbray was understandably delighted — and one of the first questions he had to answer was inevitably about the remarkable Phillips.

He left him on the bench after his admirable semi-final exertions but he came on for Chris Brunt last night to show that he still has that great finishing touch, taking his total for the season to 24 goals.

'He can score goals whenever he's on the field but I don't want to keep flogging him,' said Mowbray.

'To be able to bring him off the bench in the Championship is pretty incredible.

'He has that natural knack and the quality to back it up with his finishing.

'I think playing at Wembley drains you and that might have been evident at the start but there was a driving desire to win the game the longer it went on.

'There's a real determination in the dressing room.

'We won't fail through a lack of determination and desire, but nobody at our club is going to get carried away.

'There are too many strange results and twists and turns.'

Blackpool manager Simon Grayson said that Crainey claimed he did not touch Hoefkens for the match-turning penalty, adding: 'If the player is saying that you have to believe him.

'We seemed to get no decisions in the second half.

'But I'm really pleased with the way we played against the team who have gone top of the division tonight.'