Birmingham

1

Maik Taylor

5

Martin Taylor

2

Kelly

3

Murphy ***

6

Ridgewell

14

Agustien *

26

Carsley

7

Larsson

10

Jerome

16

McFadden

11

McSheffrey **

On The Bench

28

Krysiak

15

Jaïdi

19

Owusu-Abeyie *** (77)

9

Phillips ** (57)

23

Bent M * (46)

Blackpool

1

Rachubka

30

Camara

12

Edwards

25

Barker

6

Evatt

4

Southern

16

Jorgensen

11

Vaughan **

27

Burgess

19

Kabba

12

Taylor-Fletcher *

On The Bench

18

Rehman * (84)

15

Gow ** (91)

14

Fox

7

Hammill

23

Nardiello

The Seasiders were effective as they set up their stall early on in a bid to frustrate Blues and stop them from building up any momentum - and it worked as the hosts failed to create any real chances of note throughout the entire encounter.

Blackpool should have broken the deadlock after 36 minutes as keeper Maik Taylor was called upon to produce a fantastic save to deny David Vaughan.

But the visitors managed to grab the only goal shortly after the restart as Gary Taylor-Fletcher fired home unmarked from 10 yards to leave the high-flying hosts reeling.

An uninspired Blues rallied in an attempt to find an equaliser but Blackpool goalkeeper Paul Rachubka was never seriously tested as the visitors secured an impressive three points.

Stephen Kelly came in for the injured Stuart Parnaby at right-back for Blues while Cameron Jerome started up front alongside James McFadden after scoring twice in the last two games.

On-loan striker Steve Kabba started for Blackpool in place of Adam Hammill as boss Simon Grayson made just one change from the side beaten 2-0 at Burnley in midweek.

Jerome, buoyed by his recent form, had the first real effort of the game, drilling wide of the target from the edge of the area after just six minutes.

But the visiting Seasiders refused to be intimidated by Blues' lofty standing in the table and posed a threat during the early stages, imposing their physical presence in midfield while looking dangerous from set-pieces.

Blackpool continued to enjoy their fair share of possession as the first half went on, stopping Blues from imposing any kind of dominance and contributing towards a very stop-start opening half an hour.

And as the opening 45 minutes drew to a close, Taylor produced a fantastic save to tip Vaughan's effort around a post from 12 yards out when he really should have scored.

Marcus Bent came on for Kemy Agustien at half-time as Alex McLeish looked to shake things around but it was Blackpool who rocked the hosts just two minutes into the second half.

Ben Burgess was guilty of missing a great chance just seconds after the restart, firing straight at Taylor with the goal at his mercy.

But he was reprieved a minute later as the home defence went AWOL and Taylor-Fletcher latched onto a pass from Keith Southern to fire home unmarked from 10 yards - the first time Blues had conceded at St Andrew's this season.

Prolific veteran Kevin Phillips was introduced in the 57th minute but Birmingham were failing to really create any chances of note as a disgruntled home support started to voice their disapproval.

Blues keeper Taylor produced another great stop to deny Burgess as the clash entered the final 20 minutes.

Phillips then saw his goalbound effort deflected wide as Blues adopted a 3-4-3 formation in search of an equaliser.

But it was to no avail as a stubborn Blackpool side held out for a deserved victory and left Birmingham boss McLeish with much to ponder.