Blackpool have taken the initiative in their Championship playoff semi-final against Birmingham City with a 1-0 win at Bloomfield Road.
The home side made a bright start and Thomas Ince thought he had opened the scoring after just four minutes.
However, the midfielder saw his effort chalked off after he was adjudged to have been in an offside position.
The game itself was evenly matched in the first half and the two sides looked to be heading into the break on level terms until Ince's 42nd-minute strike broke the deadlock.
The 22-year-old's shot from outside the area was deflected past Colin Doyle off Curtis Davies to put the Tangerines ahead.
Second-half substitute Kevin Phillips also had a goal ruled out for offside when he headed home from close range following Ince's cross from the right.
The Blues offered very little going forward in the second period and looked to settle for a one-goal deficit by bringing on Jonathan Spector for Nathan Redmond.
Despite the limited opportunities, Marlon King missed a glorious chance to snatch a draw in injury time.
Wade Elliott glided past two Blackpool players down the left-hand side before lofting a ball into Jordon Mutch, who teed up King, only for the striker to hit the post.
The tie seems evenly poised heading into the return leg at St Andrews.
Michael Penkman
