Phillips, who was a free agent last June after his contract ended at Birmingham, revealed: I spoke to Ipswich manager Paul Jewell and liked very much of what he had to say.

But in the end, I opted to try my luck at Blackpool, and have no regrets.

He went on: Portman Road has always been a lucky ground for me though, and Ive scored here for all my clubs.

I badly needed to start scoring again, and had a feeling it might be here.

The veteran front man came on just before the hour mark to inspire a revival after immediately watching his side go 2-0 down.

Fellow substitute Elliot Grandid fired in from close range for the Tangerines first in the 65th minute after a far post header by Ludovic Sylvestre.

Then, with ten minutes to go, Phillips raced onto a through pass from Grandin to drill in the leveller.

The ex-England front man should have struck a winner as he left home defenders for dead again with his blistering speed off the mark.

But Ipswich keeper Alex McCarthy, making his home debut on loan from Reading, produced a brilliant save.

I had to apologise to the boss for that one, said Phillips whose first goal since November makes him Blackpools eight goal top marksman.

Lowly Ipswich took the lead in the ninth minute when Angel Martinez put into his own net from a cross by Lee Martin.

They made it two on 60 minutes when Tommy Smith headed home a clever chip by Andy Drury.

Holloway had words of praise for opposite number Jewell, the day after the under-fire boss was given a big vote of confidence by club owner Marcus Evans.

The Blackpool chief said: Ipswich have a fantastic set-up and tradition. There are statues here, and statues there. The expectancy is high.

Paul has only been in the job a year, and Im confident hell eventually be a success. Ive had a long chat with him, and told him to keep his pecker up.

Dave Allard (The Mirror)