Fulham edged closer to safety in the Championship with a 1-0 win over relegated Blackpool at Bloomfield Road this afternoon.

Matt Smith's 17th goal of the campaign gave the Cottagers the points to leave them nine clear of the drop zone in England's second tier.

The relegated Seasiders went close inside four minutes when Henry Cameron's effort cannoned back off the post.

Cameron then forced Marcus Bettinelli into a strong save moments later after bursting through on goal, but the hosts were caught cold when Smith nodded in Sean Kavanagh's cross from the left.

Smith caused the home defence a whole host of problems, and the striker controlled Ross McCormack's cross and lashed just off target before heading in Kavanagh's corner.

Confusion at the back almost let Andrea Orlandi in for Blackpool, but Dan Burn did well to get back and clear the danger before the half-hour mark.

Smith's afternoon lasted just five into the restart after he pulled up with an injury. He was replaced by Cauley Woodrow, who went close from McCormack's delivery on 54 minutes.

Blackpool nearly levelled through Orlandi before the hour mark, but Burn did well to block the powerful goal-bound effort from close range.

Nathan Delfouneso was denied for Blackpool when his effort was cleared off the line by Jazz Richards as the game crept into the final 10 minutes, which Fulham were able to see out for three precious points.