Source: PA
McLeish rues missed derby chances
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish was left to rue his side's failure to kill off Aston Villa as their derby clash ended in a 1-1 draw at St Andrew's.
Roger Johnson gave the home side the lead early in the second period but a deflected shot from Villa centre-back James Collins ensured the game ended all square.
McLeish felt his side had enough clear-cut opportunities when in front to wrap up the game in addition to having yet another penalty claim rejected, this time by referee Mark Clattenburg.
McLeish said: "It was probably a fair result overall. We have come a long way in a couple of years in terms of these derby games and the results. Had we been a bit more clinical at 1-0, we would have seen it through.
"Craig Gardner had a wonderful chance with a volley which he put wide and he is a guy you would normally want and trust in that situation. Brad Friedel also made a great save at that point from Matt Derbyshire and we had the chance to turn the screw.
"But we allowed Villa to come back into it, and gave away a few unnecessary free-kicks and I was disappointed with the build-up to their equaliser. But the shot from Collins was not even on target before it hit someone and was deflected in."
