Bristol City climbed up to second in the Coca-Cola Championship table after a they claimed a narrow one-goal victory over Blackpool at Ashton Gate.

Marvin Elliott's first-half volley clinched the Robins' first victory since New Year's Day and sent them level on points with leaders West Brom, but Blackpool created a host of chances after the break and should have left with a point.

City midfielder Elliott finished in clinical fashion following Lee Johnson's cross in the 20th minute and, with the top two involved in FA Cup action, the Robins took advantage to leapfrog Watford into second place.

An eighth away defeat for the Seasiders left them in the bottom half of the table, but manager Simon Grayson will have taken heart from his side's spirited display in the second half.

City were grateful to Brazilian goalkeeper Adriano Basso for denying Blackpool an early lead before Gary Johnson's side seized control.

Kaspars Gorkss fired over the crossbar for the visitors in the second minute and Ben Burgess forced Basso into a fine save with a left-footed shot from 20 yards before City had threatened.

Darren Byfield stung Blackpool goalkeeper Paul Rachubka's hands with a shot from inside the penalty area but City began to find their rhythm and the home side made the breakthrough thanks to Elliott's well-taken volley.

Johnson pulled the ball back across the area from the left and City midfielder Elliott slammed the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Byfield then dragged a shot wide when well-placed and saw another effort blocked by Blackpool defender Gorkss as City gained the upper hand.

Rachubka rescued Blackpool again late in the first period when home defender Jamie McCombe fired in an angled shot from inside the area, while Michael Flynn fired wide for Blackpool in the closing stages.

The visitors enjoyed their best spell at the start of the second half after midfielder Wes Hoolahan had replaced Stephen McPhee.

Burgess pulled a shot wide, Ian Evatt saw his effort blocked by Elliott and Johnson threw himself at Flynn's goalbound shot.

Blackpool went close in the 58th minute when Stephen Crainey's free-kick on the edge of the penalty area hit the crossbar.

Lee Trundle failed to keep his shot down at the other end for City, but Blackpool continued to press and only committed defending kept out Hoolahan's angled drive, while Evatt headed just wide from David Fox's free-kick.

Andrew Morrell and Andrew Welsh forced City into more desperate defending with successive shots from the edge of the penalty area and Evatt shot tamely at Basso as the visitors peppered the home goal.

Fox fired off target from 20 yards before Byfield unleashed a 30-yard shot in the closing stages after City had appeared to have weathered the storm and Blackpool were left to rue a long list of missed chances.

Teams:

Bristol City Basso, Orr, Vasko, McCombe, McAllister, Carle (Skuse 74), Johnson, Elliott, McIndoe (Fontaine 82), Trundle (Noble 75), Byfield.

Subs Not Used: Weale, Murray.

Booked: Skuse.

Goals: Elliott 20.

Blackpool Rachubka, Barker, Gorkss, Evatt, Crainey, Morrell (Vernon 79), Jorgensen (Welsh 64), Flynn, Fox, Burgess, McPhee (Hoolahan 46).

Subs Not Used: Gerrard, Jackson.

Att: 15,465

Ref: Roger East (Wiltshire).