Match Report

Birmingham City kept themselves in the promotion hunt more by luck than skill as a Kevin Phillips equaliser earned a vital point.

Cup giant-killers Burnley have only themselves to blame for not chalking up a win over a shot-shy Birmingham side which has only scored six goals in their last ten games despite some big name signings.

If Burnley had shown better clinical finishing they could have destroyed Birmingham in the first half.

They had five clear-cut chances besides Martin Paterson's early strike which completely disrupted Birmingham's rhythm.

Burnley could not have made a better start when they steamed ahead in the third minute following a spell of positive pressure engineered by veteran midfielder Graham Alexander.

Chris McCann's cross from the right was badly missed by Martin Taylor and went to the unmarked Robbie Blake on the left.

The former Birmingham striker, who is currently in fine form, played another accurate cross to the far post where the lurking Paterson was on hand to slot home his 17th goal of the season.

Birmingham's new-look side was visibly shaken and were not helped by their frustrated fans.

Better finishing by Burnley could have made matters much worse for the home side in the opening 20 minutes.

Steve Thompson blasted wide after Maik Taylor had palmed the ball down, while Blake somehow managed to fire wide from less than ten yards after Paterson had put him in possession.

Thompson then outpaced Lee Carsley only to see Maik Taylor save his shot with his legs.

Shortly afterwards, McCann blasted his shot over the bar with only the Birmingham goalkeeper to beat.

At this stage it was embarrassing how easy Burnley were able to slice open the Birmingham rearguard.

As a result, third in the table Birmingham failed to produce a single shot on or off target in the first 30 minutes.

In the 39th minute, a back-pass by Steve Caldwell led to a comic equaliser by Phillips.

Goalkeeper Brian Jensen tried to head clear but it was a pathetic attempt and Phillips gained possession and scored on the turn with Birmingham's first shot of the match.

Jensen atoned ten minutes into the second half when he made a brilliant diving save to his right to keep out a Seb Larsson free-kick.

Birmingham drafted in Carlos Costly, the on-loan Honduras international striker, but he could not spark a late winner despite going close with one low shot.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides