Blackpool 1-0 Cardiff

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Blackpool maintained their unbeaten home record with a win over table-toppers Cardiff, who suffered their first away defeat of the campaign.

The vital goal came in the 52nd minute from John Hills, who had hardly trained all week because of a nagging ankle injury.

Hills set off on a run down the left after a neat dummy from striker John Murphy.

He then seemed to confuse City keeper Neil Alexander who expected a cross, but Hills instead chose the direct route and hit a low drive past the transfixed goalkeeper.

Little had been seen of the City attack in the first half.

And despite piling on the pressure in the last 30 minutes, Robert Earnshaw and Peter Thorne both having chances, Blackpool's defence held firm with central figures Peter and Chris Clarke outstanding.

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Blackpool: Barnes, Grayson, Chris Clarke, Peter Clarke, Jaszczun, Taylor, Southern, Wellens, Hills, Dalglish, Murphy. Subs: McMahon, O'Kane, Coid, Walker, Hughes.

Cardiff: Alexander, Weston, Prior, Gabbidon, Croft, Whalley, Boland, Kavanagh, Legg, Thorne, Earnshaw. Subs: Margetson, Fortune-West, Campbell, Maxwell, Barker.

Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).