The Terriers have overtaken Bradford into fifth place with the point, but Manning was disappointed his side gave themselves an uphill battle to claim it.
Ashley Fletcher and new signing Karoy Anderson had put Blackpool in control, but Marcus Harness scored with an unstoppable header in the 74th minute before substitute Cameron Ashia equalised with two minutes to go.
Manning said: “I thought first 15 we started OK. We had a couple of decent chances with Dion Charles hitting the post and Bali Mumba missing a big chance.
“But we were not quite right out of possession with certain elements, which only led to us conceding.
“The corner they score from is so disappointing and I thought after that we became a bit passive with and without the ball.
“We changed it to go to a back four and I thought we did a better job stopping them playing, but then with the ball we were a bit passive and didn’t ask enough questions.
“For the second half I challenged the group to respond and stick together and show what we’re about, and that stuff for me is really good learning.
“We’ve started extremely well and won my first three games. This was a different challenge where you’re two behind at half-time, but the character and the response that we showed second half will definitely stand us in good stead.”
Blackpool boss Ian Evatt was delighted with the contribution made by his three deadline-day arrivals in helping his side into their two-goal lead.
Leighton Clarkson and Reuell Walters both claimed assists, with fellow debutant Anderson heading home Walters’ cross for Blackpool’s second.
Evatt said: “My focus is on the three new lads and we’re going to get better from now on. Those lads are going to get fitter with every game and we can have a really strong end to the season.
“They’ve only had three days with us but the way they’ve taken on information is great and you can see what they are going to give us going forwards.”
Asked if it felt more like two points dropped than one gained, Evatt added: “No, not necessarily. It’s easy to feel like that because when you concede so late it becomes disappointing.
“But Huddersfield are a really good team with aspirations of getting promoted, and they’ve got a new manager and fresh impetus.
“We know 2-0 is a funny scoreline sometimes and if you get the third it’s game over, but when they score their first they keep the momentum going. We became a bit nervous and panicked with our play and need to learn from that.
“But sometimes you forget to enjoy it and I’m not going to forget to enjoy it when it does become tough.”
