Hughton targets improvement

Chris Hughton is targeting an improved performance in the second leg of Birmingham's play-off semi-final after seeing his side lose 1-0 to Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

Blues skipper Curtis Davies deflected in Thomas Ince's shot on the stroke of half time to hand the Seasiders the advantage.

The home side dominated possession in the second half but could not score and Marlon King almost made them pay when he hit the post in stoppage time.

Hughton now wants to see his side improve as they seek to overturn the deficit at St Andrew's next Wednesday.

Been better

He told Sky Sports: "We didn't use the ball well enough, if I look at certainly how we have been away from home of late, whether that be in our general play or working on the counter, we've generally been better on the ball.

"So we need to be better than that but we've an opportunity now to take it back to St Andrew's.

"I thought it was going to be 1-1 with Marlon King right at the end there and that was probably as good a chance as there was in the game.

"But we're still right in it - we're back home and it gives us a chance."