Half-Time Report: Thomas Ince puts Blackpool ahead

Blackpool lead against Birmingham City at the interval as Michael Appleton continues his search for a first win in charge at Bloomfield Road.

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Thomas Ince made the breakthrough after 15 minutes when he turned home from close range after Kevin Phillips had a neat volley saved by Jack Butland.

The home side thought they had extended their advantage ten minutes later when Phillips finished instinctively, but the veteran striker was offside.

Ince and Nathan Delfouneso caused Lee Clark's side problems for much of the first half, using their pace to break clear in wide areas.

Birmingham weathered the storm before the break with some spirited defending but struggled to pose a threat, with Marlon King cutting a frustrated figure as the lone frontman.