BLACKPOOL boss Ian Holloway was keen to focus on the positives after his side were held to a 0-0 draw by Stoke at Bloomfield Road.

The Seasiders were looking to give their survival bid a major boost in their penultimate home fixture of the season but could not make a breakthrough against the Potters and, with three games left to play, remain 17th, above the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference alone.

Holloway’s team have now won only one of their last 15 matches.

“When we watched Stoke against Wolves in the week, we thought they were in fine form, so I think this proves that we have come out of our doldrums,” Holloway said.

“We have taken on a really good side at our place and kept a clean sheet.”

Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones missed the best opportunity of the contest in first-half stoppage time after the hosts got in a mess at a throw-in and gave away possession.

The ball came to Jones, who took it around goalkeeper Matt Gilks, but the former Sunderland frontman then somehow contrived to shoot wide.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis admitted his side might have won the game but overall was satisfied to come away with a point.

“Great strikers score great goals, but they do miss chances – and chances as easy as that,” Pulis said of Jones.

“But he has been fantastic for us and there will be no problems with him.

“Obviously it would have given us a great lift going in at half-time but we also had opportunities in the second half.

“Blackpool are fighting for their lives and you have to give them a lot of credit. It was a tough game.”