Bristol City were unable to break down Blackpool in the first half at Ashton Gate.

City boss Gary Johnson made one change from the side which started at Reading seven days earlier, recalling Nicky Maynard to partner Dele Adebola and dropping Northern Ireland winger Ivan Sproule to the bench.

Under pressure following a disappointing sequence of four games without a win, Seasiders manager Tony Parkes made four changes to the side beaten 2-0 at home by lowly Watford last weekend.

Short on confidence, Blackpool were forced onto the back foot from the outset and could easily have fallen behind in the fifth minute, Michael McIndoe swinging over a cross from the left and Bradley Orr shooting wide from 10 yards out under duress from David Vaughan.

All at sea during the opening exchanges, the visitors again breathed a collective sigh of relief when Gavin Williams, restored to the right side of midfield, sent a venomous drive inches too high from 25 yards.

It came as something of a surprise when Blackpool threatened to open the scoring on 10 minutes, Brett Ormerod turning inside Jamie McAllister and unleashing a rising shot which Adriano Basso had to gather at the second attempt as the livewire DJ Campbell closed in.

In buoyant mood after winning six of their last seven games, City reasserted themselves and Maynard caused Seasiders keeper Paul Rachubka a moment of anxiety, shooting narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Chances were stacking up for the home side and Rachubka made a flying save to keep out McIndoe's drive after Williams had opened up Blackpool's defence with a surging run down the middle.

Already missing several players through injury, the Seasiders were further depleted on the half hour, Ian Evatt breaking down on his return to the team and being replaced by Danny Coid.

But still the visitors were able to frustrate their opponents, placing nine men behind the ball, dropping deep and denying City a clear sight of goal. It may not have been easy on the eye, but it was certainly effective and West Country frustration intensified when Williams again tried his luck from range, only for his ambitious lob to clear the bar and land on the roof of the net.

With half time approaching, Blackpool issued a reminder of their ability to counter at pace, a slick six-pass move taking play from one end to the other and ending with Campbell firing off target.

Bristol City threatened a goal in time added on at the end of the first period, Louis Carey meeting a Cole Skuse cross with a header intended for Adebola. But before the striker could shape to shoot, the impressive Shaun Barker thrust out a foot to divert the ball behind for a corner.