A DATE with premiership outfit Birmingham awaits for Blackpool next week -- but Steve McMahon's side must first bid to climb the second division table.

They visit Edgeley Park on Saturday, bidding to build on a much improved defensive performance against Brentford on Tuesday night.

The Seasiders came away from Griffin Park with a share of the points and that rarest of creatures, a clean sheet.

Lee Jones in the Blackpool goal made a series of good saves, while his opposite number, Paul Smith, kept the lively Neil Danns at bay as Pool's new 3-5-2 formation, premiered at Swindon, gave the Seasiders a more solid platform.

It is no coincidence that Pool's most coherent performances have come when the talented but inconsistent Neil Danns and Richie Wellens have been given a helping hand in midfield and it would be a surprise to see a change in the team's shape for Saturday's visit to Stockport.

Tommy Jaszczun, John Murphy and Danny Coid are still struggling with long-term injuries, though Keith Southern is making good progress with two substitute appearances and more reserve games under his belt.

Blackpool lost the battle of the seaside resorts to Bournemouth on Saturday, with the Cherries taking advantage of some sloppy Seasiders defending to come from behind.

Fewer than 6,000 fans saw their side fail again at home after taking a half-time lead.

Bournemouth strung five-men across midfield and enjoyed some success in stopping the Seasiders from playing.

But they didn't have the power and strength which helped Barnsley, who played a similar formation, claim their Bloomfield Road victory and it was no surprise when Blackpool went ahead shortly before the break.

Steve Davis hit a powerful free kick at the edge from the edge of the area. It bounced around the box before falling kindly to Richie Wellens, who tapped home his first of the season from five yards.

That gave Blackpool something to build on, and they dominated the rest of the half and the opening two minutes of the second half.

But, unfortunately, that optimism evaporated in the 48th minute. Stephen Purches was allowed to advance unchallenged to the edge of the area before hitting a tame-looking shot which squeezed past Jones and into the bottom right-hand corner.

Less than three minutes later, Bournemouth added a second. A James Hayter corner should have been straightforward for Jones, but he mishandled the ball, which hit Karl Broadhurst and bounced into the net.

Blackpool introduced Keith Southern, who performed creditably after his six month injury lay-off and could have scored with a good long range effort late on, but the Seasiders failed to create anything like a clear-cut chance.

The booing at the end was all too familiar for McMahon, who blasted his side's 'comical, woeful' defending. The manager can ill-afford any more sub-standard performances, especially as crowds continue to dip and a growing number of fans begin to seriously question his future.