Ian Holloway suffered defeat on his hometown return as Bristol City claimed a 2-0 win over Blackpool.
City beat Blackpool to go level with Holloway's men
Ian Holloway suffered defeat on his hometown return as goals from Nicky Maynard and Danny Haynes gave Bristol City a 2-0 victory over Blackpool.
Holloway has always struggled for friends at Ashton Gate having played for and managed the Robins' bitter rivals, Bristol Rovers.
And this was a miserable night for the Blackpool boss as Maynard's spectacular overhead kick opened the scoring in the 28th minute before Haynes made the points safe in the 57th minute with a fine left-footed strike from 20 yards.
That took City level with Blackpool as one of five teams in joint fifth on 16 points.
Blackpool arrived in the midst of a rich run of form, with Saturday's 2-0 home win over Peterborough lifting them into the play-off places.
That has helped to restore Holloway's reputation after he presided over Leicester's relegation in May 2008, which saw him shown the door at the Walkers Stadium.
Recharged
A year out of the game seems to have recharged his batteries, though, and Blackpool are reaping the benefits after an outstanding start to the season, making a mockery of the pundits who tipped them for relegation in pre-season.
Yet the Seasiders came under the cosh from the start against the Robins and Bradley Orr soon saw his shot blocked by Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam.
City threatened again in the fourth minute when Cole Skuse fired a fierce left-footed shot goalwards which drew a smart stop from Paul Rachubka.
Gary Johnson's men continued to probe and Evander Sno hit a teasing shot which flashed just wide of Rachubka's far post.
With 14 minutes played, Marvin Elliott powered a header goalwards and Rachubka again had to be alert to palm the ball to safety.
Early onslaught
The onslaught continued moments later when Alvaro Saborio thrashed a right-footed shot over the bar from just six yards out.
Holloway's men were lucky again midway through the first half when Maynard failed to hit the target from six yards and then Lee Johnson was similarly wayward from 12 yards.
Blackpool did not threaten until the 25th minute when Ben Burgess headed wide from 12 yards.
But three minutes later they fell behind when Maynard produced a brilliant overhead kick from 12 yards which flew into the bottom corner for his seventh goal of the season.
Blackpool's initial response was impressive as Burgess headed goalwards, only for Robins goalkeeper Adriano Basso to make a fine parried save.
Blackpool defender Rob Edwards then headed wide and at half-time City boss Johnson replaced Saborio with Haynes.
The pacy forward was clearly eager to make his mark and in the 51st minute he went close with a fine strike from 25 yards which flew just wide.
However, Haynes was on target in the 57th minute when he collected a pass from Maynard and drove a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
Elliott almost added a third in the 61st minute when he fired goalwards and Rachubka made another excellent save.
Haynes then fired wide and Sno also went close while a long-range effort from substitute Billy Clarke was the closest Blackpool came to finding the net, despite a triple substitution on the hour.
