Time running out for Fulham as they launch the ball into the box only for Dann to clear as the Cottagers pepper the Blues penalty area.

Fulham are still struggling to test Hart as Dempsey brings the ball down and stabs the ball towards goal but can't get enough power on it as Hart collects.

It's Duff turn to go close as he shoots from eight yards, only to see his effort drift wide as Birmingham hang on.

Birmingham are coming under some real pressure now as Johnson has to head the ball away from danger from deep inside the penalty area.

Dempsey sees the headlines as he brings the ball under control before producing an overhead kick which bounces just wide of the target.

Dempsey, now playing alongside Zamora up front, tries to find his new striking partner as he slides it through, but it skips off the wet surface and gets away from Zamora.

Another great chance for Fulham as Birmingham continue to sit back, this time it's Kelly cross which finds Dempsey who sends his header towards the top corner only for Hart to push it away one handed.

Great defending by former Birmingham man Kelly as he times his sliding challenge to perfection to prevent Benitez breaking any further down the left.

McFadden is again the outlet for Birmingham and he sends a deep cross in towards the far post from the left only for Konchesky to clear and Fulham to come away with possession.

Great chance for Fulham as Gera does really well to bring down Konchesky's cross before hitting his volley into the ground and over the bar. A difficult chance.

Birmingham are defending from the front as Fulham monopolies possession, forcing the Cottagers to pass the ball back to Schwarzer as they fail to find a way through.

Cool goalkeeping by Schwarzer as he dummies the on rushing Jerome, probably the highlight of a fairly dull second half so far.

Konchesky gets checked by Carr after showing too much of it to the Irish defender as the game continues in the same gritty fashion it ended the first half in.

Bowyer looks to unleash Larsson down the left touchline, but Hangeland reads the danger and heads it away. Can see why he was so highly rated by Arsenal with defending like that.

Fulham are starting to build their moves around Zamora, who chests the ball down for Gera to strike, only for Carr to sneak in and clear with the former West Brom man poised to pull the trigger.

Greening gives away a freekick, which McFadden takes but over hits, sending it too close to Schwarzer who makes a simple catch.

McFadden, man of the match so far for Birmingham, whips in a deep cross looking for Larsson, only for Schwarzer to claim with a very good catch.

Nervy moment for Dann who almost allows Dempsey to get in at goal after allowing the ball to bounce in front of him as heads back towards goal, only for Hart to save his blushes and come off his line to clear.

Ferguson puts a high ball into the box trying to put Schwarzer under pressure but Hangeland deals with it well, getting some good distance on his header.

Dempsey is not a happy camper after being penalised for handball after closing down Hart who took too long to clear his lines, a very debatable decision and Dempsey is a bit hard done by.

The game is stopped because Dann needs treatment after being knocked clean off his feet by the power of Konchesky's effort. Good defending though if you are Alex McLeish but Dann will be feeling that.

Ferguson gets lucky on two occasions as he avoids a yellow card for a late challenge on Greening before Gera wastes the freekick in a good position by over hitting it straight to Hart.

Unfortunately for Fulham the corner comes to nothing as it is swung into the box only for the referee to spot some pushing and award a freekick to the home side.

Fulham are starting to establish a foot hold in this one and earn a corner after Johnson blocks Gera's effort behind for a corner.

Carr shows some good experience to bail out Johnson after the ball is flicked over the Birmingham defender by Gera, only for Carr to come across and clear.

Dempsey shows some great skill to bring the ball under control in awful conditions before playing the ball through for Zamora who is after it but can't catch it as it bounces through to Hart.

Hangeland tries to get Fulham going with a long ball up towards Zamora, but it is no where near the Fulham forward and skips through to Hart.

Birmingham are in full control now and nearly get a second as McFadden slides another pass through the Fulham defence looking for Benitez, but its just too far away from Chucho as it skips away from Blues striker.

Great interception by Hughes who had to get his head on it with Jerome lurking behind the Fulham defender ready to nod the ball home.

Fulham can finally get out of their own half and break quickly with Dempsey swinging in a cross for Gera who heads it towards goal from at least 14 yards but can't get it on target.

Birmingham pump the ball into the box looking for a Blue shirt, but despite the best attempts of Ridgewell the ball goes behind for a goal kick.

Birmingham are beginning to put some pressure on Fulham and Jerome has a great chance to play in Bowyer, but over hits the pass and Fulham can breath again.

Zamora shows some nice touches to step past Ridgewell and get in at goal, but his shot is very poor and it ends up being more dangerous to the supporters rather than to Joe Hart's goal.

Hangeland gives away a freekick in a good position and McFadden floats a high ball into the box which is flicked on by Larsson, only for Gera to clear it away down to Hart at the other end of the field.

Its pouring with rain in Birmingham and in the midst of trying to dodge the rain drops Ferguson runs into referee Chris Foy as he continues to try and halt Fulham, who have made a good start.

Fulham get forward early on and swing a high ball into the penalty area looking for Zamora, who gets to the ball but fails to control it and Birmingham get the ball back.

Comedy moment at the start of the game as the referee's whistle fails to work and has to call the players back as they kick-off again for a second time, this time we are up and running at St Andrews.