Returning keeper Scott Loach made three important saves from Blackpool midfielder Faris Haroun as the Blues and Seasiders drew a blank at Portman Road. Top scorer David McGoldrick headed disappointing Town's best opportunity wide in the ninth minute with Loach thwarting Haroun twice in the first half and once late on in the second.

Loach came in for his first league start since August with first-choice keeper Dean Gerken missing out having woken up with a stiff neck.

Midfielder Paul Green was handed his full debut and his first appearance for Town at Portman Road, while Luke Hyam returned to the starting line-up after his gashed leg.

Frank Nouble and Jay Tabb dropped to the bench, alongside Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, back from his hamstring injury, and academy keeper Michael Crowe.

Former Town striker Michael Chopra was on the bench for Blackpool, alongside ex-Blues loanee Ricardo Fuller.

Following a minute’s applause in tribute to Sir Tom Finney, McGoldrick went close to breaking the deadlock in the third minute. First he just failed to get a touch on Chambers’s cross from the right, before David Perkins blocked his shot after Stephen Hunt had cut it back from the left.

Daryl Murphy went close in the sixth minute, breaking into the area on the right and hitting a low shot which Seasiders’ keeper Matt Gilks could only palm away, fortunately for the visitors just beyond Green.

Town had started well and in the ninth minute again went close, Luke Chambers crossing from the right and McGoldrick heading just wide at the near post. The Blues number 10 will feel he should have been celebrating his 17th goal of the season.

Both sides were forced into substitutions after only 12 minutes. Hyam, who had been out with a gashed leg, was replaced by Tabb, while Andrew Halliday took over from Jack Robinson at left-back for the Tangerines.

Blackpool’s first chance fell to Kirk Broadfoot, the Scot turning a 16th minute freekick from deep into the side-netting.

Town had been unable to make their early dominance count and in the 29th minute the visitors weren’t far from going in front when Stephen Dobbie played in Haroun and the Belgian midfielder forced Loach to save well down to his left. The ball ran loose but Chambers did well to get to it and stab it away ahead of Perkins.

Haroun picked up the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Tabb soon after, then Steven Davies lashed well over from distance.

The Seasiders were by now on top with the Blues making little headway in the Blackpool half and giving the ball away too easily in their own territory.

On 40 Loach again had to save down to his left from Haroun after Smith had given the ball away on the Town left.

After a bright start in which they should have gone in front, McGoldrick’s chance having been the best opportunity, the Town performance drifted and only a couple of sharp Loach saves had prevented the visitors from being ahead after a not overly enthralling half.

Haroun, who was linked with Town prior to his move into English football with Middlesbrough in the summer of 2011, threatened again within a minute of the restart, hitting a right-footed shot across the face of goal from Dobbie’s pass.

Boss Mick McCarthy had switched around his midfield at the break with Green moving into the centre and Tabb going out to the right. In the 50th minute MacKenzie was booked for a foul on McGoldrick.

Murphy shot not far wide from the left of the area on 54 after latching on to Christophe Berra’s clearance with Town looking more dangerous in the opening minutes of the second period than they had in the closing stages of the first. Two minutes later, Hunt shot over from Murphy’s knockdown.

Blackpool boss Barry Ferguson switched strikers Davies and Keogh for Fuller and David Goodwillie in the 63rd minute, meaning there would be no appearance from ex-Blue Chopra, who earlier had been booed by Town fans as he warmed up.

Perkins was booked for a blatant trip on Murphy after the Irishman had got away from him 10 yards inside the Blackpool half. From Hunt’s quickly taken freekick, Murphy teed up Tabb, who scuffed weakly to Gilks.

On 70 McGoldrick and particularly the Sir Bobby Robson Stand felt Broadfoot had handled in the area as the striker tried to take the ball past him, but referee Mark Haywood waved away the protests.

On the touchline manager McCarthy made his feelings known to the fourth official before switching Green for Paul Anderson, who moved into his usual right midfield role with Tabb switching back to the centre.

Four minutes later, as the game moved into its final quarter of an hour with rain by now falling heavily and the pitch increasingly difficult, Ebanks-Blake was handed his league debut for the tiring Hunt, Murphy moving to left midfield.

MacKenzie headed wide for Blackpool from a freekick on the left but having strayed offside, then Dobbie’s 83rd minute shot deflected wide off Tommy Smith.

The Seasiders were looking the more likely scorers and in the 86th minute Loach again thwarted Haroun, this time blocking from the Belgian from close range. Two minutes later, Dobbie shot well over from distance.

In the final minute of scheduled time, Murphy brought the ball forward from deep but wasted the opportunity. As the game moved into three minutes of injury time the Irishman’s strike deflected wide.

The Blues finally added some urgency to their game in the final moments with a number of crosses flying into the box, McGoldrick scuffing well wide when found in space by Cresswell 14 yards out.

Town had to be content with their first 0-0 home draw since February 2010 and it would have been harsh on Blackpool to have taken nothing from the game.

Having started the first half well, the Blues’ performance deteriorated and they would have been behind but for two fine Loach saves from Haroun.

The returning Town keeper made another important stop from the Belgian in the second half with the Blues again under par.

Manager Mick McCarthy will be pleased with the clean sheet — the third on the trot at home - but disappointed with the overall performance and failure to take all three points against a Blackpool side now without a win in 15 matches.

Town: Loach, Chambers, Berra, Smith, Cresswell, Green (Anderson 71), Hyam (Tabb 12), Skuse, Hunt (Ebanks-Blake 75), McGoldrick, Murphy. Unused: Crowe, Mings, Richardson, Nouble.

Blackpool: Gilks, McMahon, Broadfoot, MacKenzie, Robinson (Halliday 12), Angel, Perkins, Haroun, Dobbie, Keogh (Goodwillie 63), Davies (Fuller 63). Unused: Cathcart, Basham, Grandin, Chopra. Referee: Mark Haywood (West Yorkshire). Att: 16,010 (Blackpool: 285).

Photo: Action Images

oddball added 19:53 - Feb 15 Whingers, good performance, good season, expectations too high, be realistic. :-)
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TimmyH added 19:55 - Feb 15 Some of the football at PR this season entertainment wise has been nothing short of awful, the Barnsley 2nd half was about as bad as anything I've seen and that includes under Jewell or Keane. Interesting to note that we play somewhat better against the 'better' sides (away as well) as they play more expansively and with more desire to get forwards but when we come up against the Barnsleys/Charltons we have not a clue how to break them down as we have such a mundane 1 dimensional midfield, no pace, no sharp passing or even a player willing to run at defenses (bar Hunt). As well as Mick has done on a shoestring budget I always thought getting to 6th would be the highlight of the season and my pre-season thoughts of 8th-10th could be about right. He know doubt has this plan how to make us hard to beat but on the flip side makes us hard to win just by the signings he makes which is hence why we have 12 draws already. Little statistic for you: First 9 games of the season - 1 draw (13 pts) and some tricky away games, Next 22 games - 11 draws (32pts) 1.44/1.45 pts a game respectively. Coincidence or not? whatever it is it's not pretty!

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NoelTheDub added 19:59 - Feb 15 Anyone here that calls me a moaner today is not on this planet.What on earth was MM thinking on tactics in this game and the last few matches.I have praised MM for doing a fantastic job this season and making us hard to beat but having done that its now boring me and many other so called moaners to death.The team selection today was so negative I said on friday when luke was fit that MM should not play 3 central mids and what did he do.Why does he leave out a wide player and play paul green out of position given us 7 defensive players at home verses another struggling team this is not acceptable.Iv given credit even when Im wrong but IM not wrong on this issue 2 pts dropped again and strikers starved of proper width and service.Paul green and Richardson are here for cover or to start a game but not at the expence of our shape.Im happy with this season overall and everyone has worked hard but now Im frustrated as to why MM boring tactics is holding us down.

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thebeat added 20:00 - Feb 15 oddball if you think that was a good performance your either blind or a scumbag from carrot road.
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TimmyH added 20:17 - Feb 15 just to add to my boring statistics, last 10 games - 5 draws (14 pts) 1.4 pts a game. If you look at the stats above it's incredible how MM keeps averaging us around the 1.4 pts a game through various periods in the season, almost predictable and not good enough to get us in the play-offs! Note to myself must get out more.
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oddball added 20:34 - Feb 15 Im not saying it was a good performance but we are competing in this league. I know people pay good money but be realistic, when was the last time we were even competing for a play off place. :-)
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Walk_the_Wark added 20:38 - Feb 15 Anyone know how long till boring Micks contract is up?
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wayway added 20:41 - Feb 15 Firstly, you will not see Taylor again, he is on his way back to Peterborough. Secondly as someone said, we only have two players of any class in the side, Cresswell and McGoldrick and they will be gone this summer. Boring Billy is only holding on to his job until another chairman with no ambition comes in for him. The whole club is a shambles allowed to get that way by an owner who does not give a monkeys and would offload tomorrow if the right offer comes in. I hope for the clubs sake this is sooner rather than later as I can see attendances down to 12000. One more thing, how about locking McCarthy in a room and showing him videos of Muhren and Thyessen for a day

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brittaniaman added 20:47 - Feb 15 Blackpool keeper had no saves to make today ???? unless of coarse he made any while I was in the Bar ???? MM perhaps you should have stayed away at the funeral you attended and left TC in charge of the game today ?? and we could have seen how his Tactics might have panned out ??? because yours were absolutely useless today,, never seen them so bad !!!!! What is happening down there,,, no Woody no Taylor on the bench ?? have you fallen out with them or something MM ????????

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BillBlue added 20:49 - Feb 15 The beat. I wasn't going to bother today but you stirred the cockles of my heart. Absolutely right and I am so pleased that your comments are coming from more and more people. Things MUST change, how can people accept the rubbish that MM puts out then, even worse, sets out to justify it. Unbelievable. Oddboil. I think at your mental level it must have taken you months to think up your name and that is why it takes so long between each of your inane posts. I, for one, feel very sorry for you.

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oddball added 20:51 - Feb 15 Malgilton was manager they moaned, he got sacked. Keane, they moaned, he got sacked. Jewel, they moaned, he got sacked. Micks manager, they moaned.......get another hobby cause this one causes you a world of misery :-)
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brittaniaman added 20:53 - Feb 15 Well put Mr wayway Taylor as I said in my statement seems very much out of favour now there I more to it than meets the eye ??? see you Friday again ?????
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oddball added 20:55 - Feb 15 Interesting, all you have is insults instead of measured argument billblue and you feel sorry for me. What is it exactly that you feel sorry for that someone has an alternative view to you :-)
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wayway added 20:57 - Feb 15 Sure thing Btittaniaman
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BillBlue added 21:03 - Feb 15 Week after week I have put out measured arguments Oddboil but they probably went over your head that is why you didn't recognise them as such. Regarding you having a different viewpoint, when your normal drivel eg. "Whingers, good performance, good season, expectations too high, be realistic. :-)" is seen by you as a viewpoint then I give up. Why not try reading each of your own posts today, you might get a surprise.

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NoelTheDub added 21:05 - Feb 15 Why on earth does Mick talk up other teams before every game and say what way they play,then change our winning team to stop the opposition from their game plan.Iv heard so often we have the smallest squad in the league or we are punching above our weight but this is no excuse for been so boring nearly every week.Mick IV been calling on you to give it 6th a lash but it seems your not going to change this is a good time to see what some fringe players can do in their rigth positions of course.

4

TimmyH added 21:11 - Feb 15 Yep does it every game @NoelTheDub - Mick talks up the opposition before and after most games, almost a self defensive attitude just in case we lose, well at least to the press - hope he doesn't do it in the dressing room.
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BillBlue added 21:13 - Feb 15 Timmy - wonder have you just put your finger on the button re dressing room - worth a thought!
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Reecex28 added 21:16 - Feb 15 Saw my first game 47 years ago v PNE 0-0 and manager ( Bill McGarry) said if he could have given the fans their money back he would - I'm glad I kept the faith even though matches like today test you. Roll on next season promotion push
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NoelTheDub added 21:26 - Feb 15 Iv no doubt MM says this before the match because why play 7 defensive guys in the first place and they are clearly told to stop the opposition firstly.I cant for the life of me come up with why MM fears the other teams so much as we are 7th or 8th in the league and not doing to badly and have a few players that can attack if let off the leech.
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oddball added 21:44 - Feb 15 It is u who miss the point, why do you think anyone cares about your meaningless viewpoint. It is laughable that u do. It is your utter failure to accept others viewpoint that is of concern and therefore it is you who needs introspection and not me for i accept your viewpoint but demand my own. Note also that, unlike you, i have not lowered myself by personnel insults. You, billblue, can thank your lucky stars that your not as smart as u like to think you are :-)

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thebeat added 22:21 - Feb 15 Oddball the point is u think that was acceptable today just because we arent fighting relegation and are in 8th. The actual point is if it wasnt for Micks gutless team selections in some games this season we could have more points and be in a better position. Do you honestly think its ok to be afraid of a team who has no manager and hasnt won in 14 games when ur in 8th and at home? Its not just today its all the time. Whenever we have been brave this season and gone for it we have won, why does he play it so safe all the time? The fact that we are in the play off picture for the first time in years like you pointed out yet the crowds are falling more and more speaks volumes for the boring negative sterile hoofball we are playing more and more.

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StochesStotasBlewe added 22:21 - Feb 15 Oddball, Dean Friedman, lucky stars, late 1990,s.bet you have the LP somewhere.
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StochesStotasBlewe added 22:23 - Feb 15 *should be late 1970,s.......
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BillBlue added 22:35 - Feb 15 Excellent. Contradiction after contradiction. I do accept other peoples viewpoints and would have accepted yours had you offered one but you never do. As I said before, read your own posts. I already quoted one above so try this one "If u dont like it dont go :-)". That is a viewpoint? I notice 21 people didn't consider it so. However, this post was well worth waiting for. Now for the contradictions: You say you accept my viewpoint but have already said my "meaningless viewpoint" which very clearly states you do not accept it - not you disagree with it, you do not accept it, but need I go on? To be very charitable I am wondering if you are trying to be witty when you say these things and sometimes hope you are but should that be the case please add a LOL so we can then enjoy it. If I have upset you then I am truly sorry because that is not what I am about. You will note I have not even used that nasty name in this post. Is that OK?

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