Late Thomas Ince penalty breaks Bristol City hearts

A last-minute penalty from Thomas Ince denied struggling Bristol City a rare win in their Championship clash with Blackpool this afternoon.

The Robins almost snatched the lead on 10 minutes through Neil Kilkenny, who hit a powerful right-footed shot against the bar.

Veteran striker Kevin Phillips had Blackpool's best chance of the first half, forcing a good save from Tom Heaton just before the half-hour mark.

The Tangerines had a good chance early in the second period through Ince, whose curling strike was saved by Heaton.

Heaton was called into action again on the hour mark, this time to deny Phillips, as the visitors began to take the game to Bristol.

Nathan Delfouneso was the next to test the shot-stopper, but it wasn't all one-way traffic. Jonathan Stead forced a save out of Matthew Gilks at the other end on 78 minutes.

Bristol City were awarded a penalty against the run of play on 79 minutes when Gilks brought down Albert Adomah inside the area. Steve Davies stepped up and powered home the spot kick to make it 1-0 to the Robins.

The hosts were on course for a rare win, but there was late heartache for them when Blackpool won a penalty of their own in the final minute.

Matthew Bates was pulled up for a handball in the area, and Ince made no mistake from the spot to salvage a point for Michael Appleton's side.