SCOTT Taylor's sixth minute goal put Blackpool into the third round of the Carling Cup against previously unbeaten Premiership outfit, Birmingham City.

The Seasiders go into Saturday's third round draw along with the cream of British football after a tenacious performance at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday night.

Taylor's goal came after just six minutes, when he cleverly exchanged passes with Mike Sheron before slotting a shot past Northern Ireland keeper, Maik Taylor.

Blackpool strung three across the midfield, in front of three central defenders, and Birmingham, fielding nine internationals in a virtual full-strength line-up (plus three more on the bench) struggled to break Steve McMahon's side down.

Republic of Ireland striker, Clinton Morrison, came closest, hitting the underside of the bar with a curling shot from the edge of the area.

Lee Jones was also forced into point-blank saves from Trinidad's Stern John and Australia's Stan Lazaridis, though on-loan Blackburn midfielder, Neil Danns, also went close at the other end.

On the hour mark, Graham Laws gave Birmingham a golden opportunity to get back into the game with a dubious penalty.

Jonathan Douglas was sheperding the ball out of play when Lazaridis tried to challenge him. The Birmingham man went down and Mr Laws pointed to the spot, despite what seemed like minimal contact.

Justice was done when Stephen Clemence skied the ball into the remains of the old South Stand.

The home fans were expecting the Alamo, especially after the addition of on-loan Chelsea striker, Mikkel Forsell and striker, Luciano Figueroa, whose goalscoring feats in Argentina have seen him tipped as the 'new Gabriel Batistuta.'

But Blackpool continued to frustrate and harry Birmingham's midfield, with the hard-working Danns infrequently breaking up attacks before they could begin. A half-hearted header from Morrison was the only thing Jones had to save all night and, come full-time, the Blackpool fans could celebrate their side's first victory over top flight opposition since their shock victory at Chelsea seven years ago.

Saturday's draw, which takes place at mid-day, live on Sky Sports, features the teams who are in Europe this season, so a trip to Old Trafford, Anfield or St James Park could be the next stop in Blackpool's roller-coaster cup campaign.