Ian Holloway was condemned to defeat on his return to his hometown as goals from Nicky Maynard and Danny Haynes gave Bristol City victory over in-form Blackpool.

Holloway has always struggled for friends at Ashton Gate due to his Bristol Rovers past - he played for and managed the Robins' bitter rivals - and this was a miserable night for the Seasiders boss.

Maynard's spectacular overhead kick opened the scoring in the 28th minute and Haynes made the points safe in the 57th minute with a fine left-footed strike from 20 yards.

Blackpool had arrived at Ashton Gate in the midst of a rich run of form and Saturday's 2-0 home win over Peterborough lifted them into the play-off places.

Holloway's reputation was badly in need of repair after he presided over Leicester's relegation in May 2008 and was subsequently shown the door at the Walkers Stadium.

A year out of the game seems to have recharged his batteries and Blackpool are reaping the benefits after an outstanding start to the season.

Their recent form enhanced the Seasiders' play-off credentials and made a further mockery of the pundits who tipped them for relegation at the start of the season.

Yet they came under the cosh from the start against the Robins and Bradley Orr soon saw his shot blocked by Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam.

In the fourth minute, City threatened again when Cole Skuse fired a fierce left-footed shot goalwards which drew a smart stop from Paul Rachubka.

Gary Johnson's men continued to probe and Evander Sno hit a teasing shot which flashed just wide of Rachubka's far post.

With 14 minutes played, Marvin Elliott powered a header goalwards and Rachubka again had to be alert to palm the ball to safety.

The onslaught continued moments later when Alvaro Saborio thrashed a right-footed shot over the bar from just six yards out.

Holloway's men were lucky again midway through the first half when Maynard failed to hit the target from six yards and then Lee Johnson was similarly wayward from 12 yards.

Blackpool did not threaten until the 25th minute when Ben Burgess headed wide from 12 yards.

But three minutes later they fell behind when Maynard produced a brilliant overhead kick from 12 yards which flew into the bottom corner for his seventh goal of the season.

Blackpool's initial response was impressive as Burgess headed goalwards only for Robins goalkeeper Adriano Basso to make a fine parried save.

Blackpool defender Rob Edwards then headed wide and at half-time City boss Johnson replaced Saborio with Haynes.

He was clearly eager to make his mark and in the 51st minute he went close with a fine strike from 25 yards which flew just wide.

However, he was on target in the 57th minute when he collected a pass from Maynard and drove a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

Elliott almost added a third in the 61st minute when he fired goalwards and Rachubka made another excellent save.

Haynes then fired wide and Sno also went close while a long-range effort from substitute Billy Clarke was the closest Blackpool came to finding the net, despite a triple substitution on the hour.

Teams

Bristol City Basso, Orr, Carey, Nyatanga, McAllister, Skuse,Johnson, Elliott, Sno, Saborio (Haynes 51),Maynard (Williams 76).

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Clarkson, Akinde, Sproule, Ribeiro.

Goals: Maynard 28, Haynes 57.

Blackpool Rachubka, Edwards, Baptiste, Eardley, Crainey,Vaughan, Southern, Adam (Emmanuel-Thomas 62),Bouazza (Ormerod 61), Burgess (Clarke 61), Euell.

Subs Not Used: Gilks, Martin, Bangura, Seip.

Booked: Adam.

Att: 13,673

Ref: Roger East (Wiltshire).