OXFORD United could not achieve the impossible as Blackpool proved too strong over 180 minutes in their play-off semi-final.

The U’s scored the three goals they needed at the start of the night through Matty Taylor, Rob Atkinson and Mide Shodipo, but from the moment Elliot Embleton and Kenny Dougall struck twice in three minutes early on the comeback looked a tall order.

United were trailing 3-0 from Tuesday’s first leg, but Taylor gave them hope of an unprecedented fightback with his 19th goal of the season after seven minutes.

Like the return fixture at the Kassam Stadium, though, the U’s were undone by quickfire goals from Embleton and Dougall.

Blackpool dominated much of the first half, but United stuck at it and Rob Atkinson made it 2-2 early in the second half – only for Jerry Yates to extinguish any hope two minutes later.

Mide Shodipo struck a late equaliser to ensure an entertaining evening ended all-square, as the U’s fell short in the Sky Bet League One play-offs for the second year in a row.

In a season of comebacks this was one too far, with Blackpool progressing to the Wembley final next Sunday.

There was good and bad news from United’s treatment room, with Cameron Brannagan fit enough to start but Sam Winnall not even on the bench following their respective hamstring injuries.

It meant Rob Hall was in the matchday squad for the first time since March 23, while the only change saw Anthony Forde come in for Jamie Hanson at right back.

Blackpool’s only alteration saw Demetri Mitchell replace Keshi Anderson on the right wing and the 4,000 home fans made plenty of noise in the build-up to kick-off.

The volume increased as the hosts started on the front foot, Ellis Simms heading Embleton’s second-minute corner straight at Jack Stevens.

United survived that scare and they soon had the start they wanted after Mark Sykes was brought down in Blackpool’s right back position.

Forde looped the free-kick into the box and the ball went loose after Josh Ruffels challenged for the header, with Taylor picking up the pieces to fire low into the far corner.

The comeback was on, but within six minutes it was all-but over.

Mitchell was fouled by Brannagan as he spread the play to Embleton on the left and referee Keith Stroud played advantage.

The Sunderland loanee cut inside and curled a precise effort beyond Stevens from 20 yards, with Brannagan booked for his challenge amid the celebrations.

With the three-goal advantage restored Blackpool’s fans were as loud as ever and they had extra reason to cheer 120 seconds later.

A corner looked to be sailing out of play but the hosts kept it alive and Dougall hooked acrobatically into the net for his second of the season – both of which have come against United.

Blackpool were in the mood and kept the U’s pinned in their half for much of the next 20 minutes, with Ellis Simms seeing his shot blocked and Stevens tipping over Mitchell’s cross before the half-hour mark.

The party atmosphere continued in the stands, but United stuck at it and enjoyed a decent spell in the run-up to the interval.

James Henry missed a good chance when Brannagan’s deflected effort fell kindly for him five minutes before the break, but the midfielder volleyed high and wide – perhaps not knowing how much time he had.

Blackpool boss Neil Critchley had the luxury of replacing Dan Ballard with Marvin Ekpiteta in a like-for-like swap at half-time, with the hosts four goals to the good on aggregate.

United almost ate into that within three minutes of the restart as a well-worked move saw Taylor feed Henry on the edge of the box, but his effort came back off the post.

It signalled a bright beginning of the second period and they quickly levelled on the night through Atkinson.

Again it came from a set-piece, Henry floating a free-kick to the back post and the centre back stooping to head past the scrambling Chris Maxwell.

Like the first half though, United’s good work was undone in a matter of minutes.

Mitchell was released down the right and his cross found its way to Yates at the back post, with Blackpool’s top scorer given time to steady himself and shoot under Stevens.

The U’s had surrendered momentum again and seconds later Taylor was booked for catching Maxwell as he tried to charge down a clearance.

Karl Robinson waited until the 68th minute to make his first substitutions, Dan Agyei and Shodipo replacing Elliot Lee and Brandon Barker on the right and left flanks respectively.

Simms sent Mitchell’s cross the wrong side of the near post moments later, before Critchley brought on Anderson, Jordan Gabriel and Gary Madine for Mitchell, Embleton and Simms.

With 16 minutes left United’s substitutes combined as the visitors equalised for a second time, Shodipo reacting quickest after Agyei’s cross was palmed towards him by Maxwell.

The QPR loanee was thwarted by the goalkeeper at the far post moments later, before Stevens tipped over a fierce Yates drive at the other end.

The U’s stopper saved from Blackpool’s No 9 again, ensuring United at least claimed a draw on the night.

Blackpool (4-4-2): Maxwell, Turton, Ballard (Ekpiteta 46), Husband, Garbutt, Mitchell (Gabriel 73), Dougall, Stewart, Embleton (Anderson 73), Simms (Madine 73), Yates (Robson 90+2).

Unused subs: Moore, Thorniley.

Booked: Maxwell, Stewart, Turton.

Oxford United (4-3-3): Stevens, Forde, Moore, Atkinson, Ruffels, Henry, Brannagan, Sykes, Lee (Agyei 68), Taylor, Barker (Shodipo 68).

Unused subs: Eastwood, McNally, Hanson, Gorrin, Hall.

Booked: Brannagan, Taylor, Sykes.

Referee: Keith Stroud (Hampshire).