Neither side could find a breakthrough in the first 45 minutes of the Championship match between Blackpool and Birmingham City this afternoon.

The visitors threatened as David Cotterill surged forward and managed to win a free kick just outside the penalty area. The winger took the set piece himself and forced a good save out of Joe Lewis, who tipped the ball away from goal.

Birmingham tried to push forward again and Stephen Gleeson tried his luck from 25 yards with a dipping volley after latching on to a poor clearance, but Lewis was on hand to make a solid stop.

The Blues continued to have the better of the match as Paul Caddis released the run of Lee Novak, who drilled the ball across the face of goal, but Kevin Foley was on hand to clear his effort off the line.