Neither managerless Blackpool nor Cardiff City was able to find the net during the opening 45 minutes of their encounter at Bloomfield Road this evening.

Reported Liverpool transfer target Thomas Ince had the first chance of the match with 10 minutes played, but his effort from inside the area was held by visiting goalkeeper David Marshall.

Blackpool continued to dominate and thought they should have had a penalty with 35 minutes gone when Gary Taylor-Fletcher's cross appeared to strike the hand of Cardiff defender Anthony Taylor inside the area. However, referee Michael Naylor dismissed the home team's appeals.

Ince had another chance four minutes before the break, but having rounded Marshall, the ball ran away from the England youth international and out of play.

In the closing stages Tommy Smith went close to giving Cardiff the lead, but his rising shot from eight yards out was tipped over the bar by Matt Gilks.

Victory for Cardiff would see them extend their lead at the top of the Championship table to 11 points.