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Blackpool out of drop zone

Blackpool - Blackpool remain just above the Premier League relegation zone despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Stoke at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

Ian Holloway's side could have significantly boosted their chances of avoiding the drop with a victory over the FA Cup finalists, but a dour encounter left them ahead of third bottom Wigan only on goal difference.

The Seasiders were fortunate to escape a defeat as Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones missed the best chance of the game when he rounded goalkeeper Matt Gilks but shot woefully wide in the first-half.

Victory for Wolves over Birmingham on Sunday would see Blackpool slide into the relegation zone with only three matches to play.

Blackpool carved out the first opportunity after six minutes as Stephen Crainey whipping in a cross and DJ Campbell headed over the bar.

Having soaked up some pressure, Stoke got their first strike in on goal as Robert Huth saw a shot blocked by Crainey.

Blackpool's Gary Taylor-Fletcher got on the end of a cross from Ian Evatt four minutes before the interval but was unable to get much power behind his header, which Asmir Begovic gathered comfortably.

The hosts then survived a real scare in first half stoppage-time when they lost possession and the ball came to Jones, who took it around Michael Gilks as Evatt slipped over.

It seemed like a simple finish for the former Sunderland striker, but he somehow contrived to blaze wide and the score remained 0-0.

Matt Phillips went close for Blackpool at the start of the second half but his flick towards goal from Charlie Adam's corner was saved by Begovic.

Keith Southern then fired an effort in which took a deflection off his team-mate Campbell and went narrowly wide.

Stoke responded with a swerving shot from Glenn Whelan which Gilks dived to palm away and a downward header from Jones that was scrambled clear.

Blackpool fans appealed for a penalty when Campbell got in a tangle with Whelan in the box, but referee Mark Clattenburg waved play on.

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