Birmingham City 1, Preston North End 2: Colin Tattum's Big Match Verdict
Blues blew their chance to return to the big time at St Andrew's, falling to Preston in an amazing game.
Keith Fahey looked to have put Blues firmly in charge of their own destiny with a clinical 57th minute header.
But then referee Phil Down sent-off both Lee Bowyer and Lee Williamson for a spat in the centre circle.
Preston adapted better and stunned Blues with an equaliser from Paul Kenna who was 30 yards out when he connected sweetly.
That 69th minute goal didn't quite knock the stuffing out of Blues; they came back at Preston and Cameron Jerome missed a sitter from six yards with just 10 minutes left on the clock.
Then there was another twist at the end when Ross Wallace lashed a brilliant 25-yard free-kick past Maik Taylor, via the post.
