FULL TIME BIRMINGHAM 1-1 NEWCASTLE: Michael Owen cancelled out James McFadden's first half goal to secure Newcastle a deserved share of the spoils after a much improved second half show as the two strugglers both move up one place in the table.
90
Mauro Matias Zarate tries his luck from distance as we enter three minutes of injury time but the ball is well wide of the mark.
87
Yellow Card
Stuart Parnaby is now in the book for a late lunging foul on Jose Sanchez Enrique.
86
Substitution
Another change here for the home side as goal scorer James McFadden goes off for January signing Mauro Matias Zarate.
86
A high ball into the area sees Maik Taylor try to come out and punch but get no where near it as Steven Taylor heads over the top.
85
Yellow Card
Stephen Kelly is the first Blues player in the book for bringing down Charles N'Zogbia.
84
Neither side is really busting a gut to try and win this game which is strange as three points would boost both of their survival hopes.
82
Stuart Parnaby lofts a high ball into the area and Steve Harper gathers despite his defender Steven Taylor impeding him.
81
Substitution
Obafemi Martins is coming off here with the tricky Charles N'Zogbia coming on to replace the Nigerian who has looked sharper in the second half.
78
Fabrice Muamba gets in a good shot from an angle which Steve Harper does very well to hold on to in front of his own goal.
76
We are moving into the final 15 minutes here and Newcastle will feel they are the more likely to get a winner judging by the second half display.
74
Fabrice Muamba shows good feet before going for goal from 25 yards out but his effort is well blocked.
71
Substitution
A change for Birmingham with Cameron Jerome coming on in place of Mikael Forssell.
70
Michael Owen is allowed time to get in a shot which Liam Ridgewell deflects out for a corner. Njitap Geremi's corner is again poor and the ball is eventually cleared.
69
This game has opened up a lot more now as Newcastle are looking to use the pace of Obafemi Martins and break quickly against the Blues defence.
67
A sharp turn in the area by Obafemi Martins and his low effort is pushed round the post by the diving MaikTaylor.
66
Jose Sanchez Enrique has a decent strike from 25 yards which Maik Taylor parries out for a corner. Njitap Geremi plays it in but it does not beat the first defender.
65
Obafemi Martins threads the ball in to Michael Owen who charges into the area but David Murphy does well to get in a vital block on the striker's shot at goal.
65
Yellow Card
Steven Taylor clatters James McFadden to the ground is deservedly booked for his actions.
63
Stuart Parnaby tries to head the ball in from the edge of the area after Steven Taylor's clearance but it goes just over the top.
62
Obafemi Martins tries his luck from a distance but it is high and wide of the Birmingham goal. Newcastle look a lot better this half.
62
Mark Viduka surges towards the Blues goal but his ball to Obafemi Martins plays him wide and his cross into the middle is knocked clear.
61
Nicky Butt handles in the middle of the pitch to give Birmingham a free kick which is played in by Gary McSheffrey but headed clear by the defence.
59
James McFadden tries his luck from the edge of the area and it takes a slight nick off Mikael Forssell but runs through for Steve Harper.
57
Fabrice Muamba runs at the Newcastle goal but shoots wildly wide of the mark in a desperate bid to ge the Blues back in front.
56
This has sparked the game into life now and Newcastle just about deserve it for the positive start to this half.
55
Goal
BIRMINGHAM 1-1 NEWCASTLE: Maik Taylor saves well from Obafemi Martins and MICHAEL OWEN gets in first to scramble the ball into the net
55
Gary McSheffrey bursts into the Newcastle area but he is nudged off the ball by Habib Beye and the ball runs out for a goal kick.
54
Mark Viduka tries a flick on into the Blues box but it runs through to Maik Taylor. The big Aussie has not had much service this evening.
52
Newcastle have stepped up a gear here and are starting to look they want to fight for their Premier League lives.
50
A second corner is not cleared well and the ball hits David Murphy before falling to Michael Owen six yards out but he is denied by Maik Taylor. He should have done a lot better for Newcastle with their best chance.
50
Newcastle win a corner after David Murphy clears from Michael Owen but Liam Ridgewell clears the danger. The ball put back in sees the Blues concede another corner.
48
A bright opening to the half by Birmingham who go close again as Steve Harper races out to deny Fabrice Muamba from a tight angle.
46
Almost a quick goal by Birmingham as Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye gives the ball away and it creates a chance for Mikael Forssell who is denied by the brave Steve Harper who dives at his feet to gather.
46
Substitution
One change at the break which was enforced due to the knock picked up by Sebastian Larsson with former Middlesbrough full-back Stuart Parnaby coming on to replace him.
Second half
We are up and running again here with Birmingham looking to maintain the lead and move a point above Newcastle, whose boss Kevin Keegan will look for a lot more from his strikers this half.
Half time
HALF TIME BIRMINGHAM 1-0 NEWCASTLE: Birmingham just about deserve the lead given to them by James McFadden's goal in a cagey first half against Newcastle at St Andrews.
45
Stephen Kelly is so lucky not to concede an own goal in stoppage time as he almost puts Joey Barton's cross in but Maik Taylor saves his blushes.
45
Obafemi Martins looks like he handles the ball as he just nips past Maik Taylor on the edge of the Blue area but Stephen Kelly knocks it out for a corner which comes to nothing.
43
Njitap Geremi whips a feee kick into the Birmingham area but Obafemi Martins can't get in a clean header and it drops well wide.
42
Joey Barton whips a high looping ball into the area but it is too hard and it drops on top of Maik Taylor's goal.
41
James McFadden almost gets the better of Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye inside the area and then feels his is obstructed but that is no penalty.
39
Sebastian Larsson hobbles off for more treatment here and how Nicky Butt escaped a yellow card is anyone's guess because that was a pretty nasty lunge.
38
Newcastle are just camped on the edge of the Birmingham area but the move breaks down when Nicky Butt brings down Sebastian Larsson.
36
It has to be said Birmingham probably just about deserve the lead as they have been more attacking but there is not much in this.
34
James McFadden has been the only player looking capable of sparking this match into life and he has certainly done that but poor defending by Habib Beye.
33
Goal
BIRMINGHAM 1-0 NEWCASTLE: JAMES MCFADDEN gets on the end of a David Murphy cross, outmuscles Abdoulaye Faye and fires past Steven Harper from close range.
32
Mark Viduka tries a fancy back flick to play in Obafemi Martins on the edge of the area but the Blues defence get back to clear and snuff out the attack.
30
Nicky Butt tries to spark an attack on the Birmingham goal but his ball is overhit and the move breaks down.
28
Newcastle are now showing more signs of getting into this game as an attacking force as we approach the half-hour mark.
26
Stephen Kelly gets the chance to play a cross into the Newcastle area but it is too close to Steve Harper who easily gathers.
25
Another attack from Newcastle but Liam Ridgewell knocks the ball out to Nicky Butt whose effort is very poor against his former loan club.
24
At last an effort on goal from Newcastle but Michael Owen's shot is over the top and fails to test Maik Taylor.
23
Newcastle enjoy some decent possession with Habib Beye putting a cross into the area but it goes to none of his team-mates and the Blues clear.
20
Yellow Card
A bit of a harsh booking for Njitap Geremi who just connects with Sebastian Larsson's ankle going for a 50-50 ball in the middle of the park.
18
Alex McLeish will be happier out of the two managers after the start as Birmingham have looked the better side and more likely to score.
16
James McFadden is torturing Newcastle's defence as he wins a corner off Joey Barton. Gary McSheffrey whips it in but Radhi Jaidi heads down and wide.
14
Gary McSheffrey plays the ball in but it is knocked behind for a corner. Liam Ridgewell heads the ball from the corner which Newcastle do not fully clear and Mikael Forssell shoots just wide of the post inside the area.
13
James McFadden wins a free kick in a good position down on the right side of the Newcastle box after a foul by Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye.
11
James McFadden chests the ball spins and volleys just over the Newcastle goal from the edge of the area.
10
Mikael Forssell gets past Steven Taylor and runs at goal before the ball runs to Fabrice Muamba whose effort inside the area is well over and disappointing.
8
Birmingham have probably had the upper hand in these opening moments of this vital game, but don't rule out Newcastle with the attacking threat they have.
6
A first chance here as James McFadden picks up the loose ball 25 yards from goal and hits a shot which deflects out for a corner off Habib Beye. The corner is subsequently cleared.
5
Fabrice Muamba runs down the right flank and puts a low cross into the area which Steven Taylor heads clear.
4
No early chances to report as most of the action has centred around the middle of the park with the odd hopeful punt forwards from both sides.
2
A fairly low-key opening here but Newcastle will hope to get goals as Mark Viduka, Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins line up n the starting XI for the first time together.
Kickoff
This massive game at the wrong end of the Premier League is underway as Birmingham look for a win which would put them above Newcastle in the table, while Kevin Keegan bids for a first moral-boosting win since returning to the Magpies as manager.
Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan looks like he is going for goals with a three-pronged attacking line up including Obafemi Martins, Michael Owen and Mark Viduka as Alan Smith is dropped to the bench. Joey Barton also returns to the Magpies' midfield.
Martin Taylor serves the final game of his three-match suspension for that tackle on Arsenals Eduardo da Silva so Birmingham boss Alex McLeish names an unchanged starting XI for the crucial relegation six-pointer against Newcastle at St Andrews.
Birmingham City
Newcastle United
Full time
FULL TIME BIRMINGHAM 1-1 NEWCASTLE: Michael Owen cancelled out James McFadden's first half goal to secure Newcastle a deserved share of the spoils after a much improved second half show as the two strugglers both move up one place in the table.
Mauro Matias Zarate tries his luck from distance as we enter three minutes of injury time but the ball is well wide of the mark.
Yellow Card
Stuart Parnaby is now in the book for a late lunging foul on Jose Sanchez Enrique.
Substitution
Another change here for the home side as goal scorer James McFadden goes off for January signing Mauro Matias Zarate.
A high ball into the area sees Maik Taylor try to come out and punch but get no where near it as Steven Taylor heads over the top.
Yellow Card
Stephen Kelly is the first Blues player in the book for bringing down Charles N'Zogbia.
Neither side is really busting a gut to try and win this game which is strange as three points would boost both of their survival hopes.
Stuart Parnaby lofts a high ball into the area and Steve Harper gathers despite his defender Steven Taylor impeding him.
Substitution
Obafemi Martins is coming off here with the tricky Charles N'Zogbia coming on to replace the Nigerian who has looked sharper in the second half.
Fabrice Muamba gets in a good shot from an angle which Steve Harper does very well to hold on to in front of his own goal.
We are moving into the final 15 minutes here and Newcastle will feel they are the more likely to get a winner judging by the second half display.
Fabrice Muamba shows good feet before going for goal from 25 yards out but his effort is well blocked.
Substitution
A change for Birmingham with Cameron Jerome coming on in place of Mikael Forssell.
Michael Owen is allowed time to get in a shot which Liam Ridgewell deflects out for a corner. Njitap Geremi's corner is again poor and the ball is eventually cleared.
This game has opened up a lot more now as Newcastle are looking to use the pace of Obafemi Martins and break quickly against the Blues defence.
A sharp turn in the area by Obafemi Martins and his low effort is pushed round the post by the diving MaikTaylor.
Jose Sanchez Enrique has a decent strike from 25 yards which Maik Taylor parries out for a corner. Njitap Geremi plays it in but it does not beat the first defender.
Obafemi Martins threads the ball in to Michael Owen who charges into the area but David Murphy does well to get in a vital block on the striker's shot at goal.
Yellow Card
Steven Taylor clatters James McFadden to the ground is deservedly booked for his actions.
Stuart Parnaby tries to head the ball in from the edge of the area after Steven Taylor's clearance but it goes just over the top.
Obafemi Martins tries his luck from a distance but it is high and wide of the Birmingham goal. Newcastle look a lot better this half.
Mark Viduka surges towards the Blues goal but his ball to Obafemi Martins plays him wide and his cross into the middle is knocked clear.
Nicky Butt handles in the middle of the pitch to give Birmingham a free kick which is played in by Gary McSheffrey but headed clear by the defence.
James McFadden tries his luck from the edge of the area and it takes a slight nick off Mikael Forssell but runs through for Steve Harper.
Fabrice Muamba runs at the Newcastle goal but shoots wildly wide of the mark in a desperate bid to ge the Blues back in front.
This has sparked the game into life now and Newcastle just about deserve it for the positive start to this half.
Goal
BIRMINGHAM 1-1 NEWCASTLE: Maik Taylor saves well from Obafemi Martins and MICHAEL OWEN gets in first to scramble the ball into the net
Gary McSheffrey bursts into the Newcastle area but he is nudged off the ball by Habib Beye and the ball runs out for a goal kick.
Mark Viduka tries a flick on into the Blues box but it runs through to Maik Taylor. The big Aussie has not had much service this evening.
Newcastle have stepped up a gear here and are starting to look they want to fight for their Premier League lives.
A second corner is not cleared well and the ball hits David Murphy before falling to Michael Owen six yards out but he is denied by Maik Taylor. He should have done a lot better for Newcastle with their best chance.
Newcastle win a corner after David Murphy clears from Michael Owen but Liam Ridgewell clears the danger. The ball put back in sees the Blues concede another corner.
A bright opening to the half by Birmingham who go close again as Steve Harper races out to deny Fabrice Muamba from a tight angle.
Almost a quick goal by Birmingham as Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye gives the ball away and it creates a chance for Mikael Forssell who is denied by the brave Steve Harper who dives at his feet to gather.
Substitution
One change at the break which was enforced due to the knock picked up by Sebastian Larsson with former Middlesbrough full-back Stuart Parnaby coming on to replace him.
Second half
We are up and running again here with Birmingham looking to maintain the lead and move a point above Newcastle, whose boss Kevin Keegan will look for a lot more from his strikers this half.
Half time
HALF TIME BIRMINGHAM 1-0 NEWCASTLE: Birmingham just about deserve the lead given to them by James McFadden's goal in a cagey first half against Newcastle at St Andrews.
Stephen Kelly is so lucky not to concede an own goal in stoppage time as he almost puts Joey Barton's cross in but Maik Taylor saves his blushes.
Obafemi Martins looks like he handles the ball as he just nips past Maik Taylor on the edge of the Blue area but Stephen Kelly knocks it out for a corner which comes to nothing.
Njitap Geremi whips a feee kick into the Birmingham area but Obafemi Martins can't get in a clean header and it drops well wide.
Joey Barton whips a high looping ball into the area but it is too hard and it drops on top of Maik Taylor's goal.
James McFadden almost gets the better of Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye inside the area and then feels his is obstructed but that is no penalty.
Sebastian Larsson hobbles off for more treatment here and how Nicky Butt escaped a yellow card is anyone's guess because that was a pretty nasty lunge.
Newcastle are just camped on the edge of the Birmingham area but the move breaks down when Nicky Butt brings down Sebastian Larsson.
It has to be said Birmingham probably just about deserve the lead as they have been more attacking but there is not much in this.
James McFadden has been the only player looking capable of sparking this match into life and he has certainly done that but poor defending by Habib Beye.
Goal
BIRMINGHAM 1-0 NEWCASTLE: JAMES MCFADDEN gets on the end of a David Murphy cross, outmuscles Abdoulaye Faye and fires past Steven Harper from close range.
Mark Viduka tries a fancy back flick to play in Obafemi Martins on the edge of the area but the Blues defence get back to clear and snuff out the attack.
Nicky Butt tries to spark an attack on the Birmingham goal but his ball is overhit and the move breaks down.
Newcastle are now showing more signs of getting into this game as an attacking force as we approach the half-hour mark.
Stephen Kelly gets the chance to play a cross into the Newcastle area but it is too close to Steve Harper who easily gathers.
Another attack from Newcastle but Liam Ridgewell knocks the ball out to Nicky Butt whose effort is very poor against his former loan club.
At last an effort on goal from Newcastle but Michael Owen's shot is over the top and fails to test Maik Taylor.
Newcastle enjoy some decent possession with Habib Beye putting a cross into the area but it goes to none of his team-mates and the Blues clear.
Yellow Card
A bit of a harsh booking for Njitap Geremi who just connects with Sebastian Larsson's ankle going for a 50-50 ball in the middle of the park.
Alex McLeish will be happier out of the two managers after the start as Birmingham have looked the better side and more likely to score.
James McFadden is torturing Newcastle's defence as he wins a corner off Joey Barton. Gary McSheffrey whips it in but Radhi Jaidi heads down and wide.
Gary McSheffrey plays the ball in but it is knocked behind for a corner. Liam Ridgewell heads the ball from the corner which Newcastle do not fully clear and Mikael Forssell shoots just wide of the post inside the area.
James McFadden wins a free kick in a good position down on the right side of the Newcastle box after a foul by Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye.
James McFadden chests the ball spins and volleys just over the Newcastle goal from the edge of the area.
Mikael Forssell gets past Steven Taylor and runs at goal before the ball runs to Fabrice Muamba whose effort inside the area is well over and disappointing.
Birmingham have probably had the upper hand in these opening moments of this vital game, but don't rule out Newcastle with the attacking threat they have.
A first chance here as James McFadden picks up the loose ball 25 yards from goal and hits a shot which deflects out for a corner off Habib Beye. The corner is subsequently cleared.
Fabrice Muamba runs down the right flank and puts a low cross into the area which Steven Taylor heads clear.
No early chances to report as most of the action has centred around the middle of the park with the odd hopeful punt forwards from both sides.
A fairly low-key opening here but Newcastle will hope to get goals as Mark Viduka, Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins line up n the starting XI for the first time together.
Kickoff
This massive game at the wrong end of the Premier League is underway as Birmingham look for a win which would put them above Newcastle in the table, while Kevin Keegan bids for a first moral-boosting win since returning to the Magpies as manager.
Awaiting Kickoff
Newcastle starting XI: Harper, Beye, Faye, Taylor, Jose Enrique, Barton, Geremi, Butt, Martins, Owen, Viduka.
Awaiting Kickoff
Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan looks like he is going for goals with a three-pronged attacking line up including Obafemi Martins, Michael Owen and Mark Viduka as Alan Smith is dropped to the bench. Joey Barton also returns to the Magpies' midfield.
Awaiting Kickoff
Birmingham starting XI: Maik Taylor, Kelly, Jaidi, Ridgewell, Murphy, Larsson, Muamba, Johnson, McSheffrey, Forssell, McFadden.
Awaiting Kickoff
Martin Taylor serves the final game of his three-match suspension for that tackle on Arsenals Eduardo da Silva so Birmingham boss Alex McLeish names an unchanged starting XI for the crucial relegation six-pointer against Newcastle at St Andrews.