Dobbie’s eyeing his great escape

BLACKPOOL is known for all sorts of attractions on its famous Golden Mile but Stephen Dobbie reckons there’s a Houdini act on the way.

The Seasiders boss had a golden smile after masterminding a first away win since October.

A second victory in three has removed the straitjacket and padlocks from Blackpool’s players and put them within four points of escaping the drop zone with six still to play for.

“We’re still alive and in that dressing room we’re starting to believe we can do it,” said Dobbie.

“I told the players we’d got nothing to lose and we needed to go for it.

“QPR won but we still have something to play for. If you’d have said that six games ago I’d have taken it.”

Sub Ian Poveda, on loan from Leeds, tapped home in the 74th minute after a mix-up between Kevin Long and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

Long’s pass left Etheridge short and the loose ball fell to Morgan Rogers, who squared to

Poveda to tap home. He then limped off with a hamstring injury.

Birmingham went desperately close in a dramatic 57th minute.

Hannibal Mejbri’s low effort was denied by goalkeeper Daniel Grimshaw, Lukas Jutkiewicz’s follow-up was blocked, Grimshaw saved Tahith Chong’s effort and Jordan Thorniley hacked off the line from Hannibal.

Blues head coach John Eustace said: “The lads dropped their heads after the goal, from the manner we conceded it, which was disappointing.” BIRMINGHAM: Etheridge 6; Colin 6, Roberts 6, Long 5 (Deeney (78) 6), Trusty 6; Bielik 6 (Chang (83) 6), James 5 (Longelo (78) 6); Chong 6 (Graham (78) 6) Bellingham 6, Hannibal 7 (Bacuna (65) 6); Jutkiewicz 5 BLACKPOOL: Grimshaw 8; Gabriel 7, Nelson 7, Thorniley 8 (Husband (84) 6), Lyons 6; Fiorini 7, Patino 7; Bowler 7 (Connolly (76) 6), Carey 6 (Poveda (62) 7, Holmes (84) 6), Hamilton 7; Rogers 7 STAR MAN: Jordan Thorniley – His spectacular goalline clearance kept Blackpool in the game before they grabbed the winner.

Keith Stroud 7