Blackpool hoping to protect slim lead against Birmingham in play-off

BLACKPOOL, chasing their second Championship play-off triumph in three seasons, take a slender 1-0 lead into the second leg of their semi-final against Birmingham City tonight.

The first leg’s solitary strike was credited as an own goal to Blues captain Curtis Davies after a wicked deflection sent Tom Ince’s speculative drive beyond wrong-footed goalkeeper Colin Doyle a minute before half-time. The winners face West Ham in the final at Wembley and Blackpool manager Ian Holloway said: “The second leg is going to be one heck of a game.”