Birmingham 1 Burnley 1: Full time report

Feb 7 2009

Birmingham's hopes of automatic promotion suffered a blow today as they were held to a draw in their Coca-Cola Championship clash with Burnley at St Andrews.

Veteran striker Kevin Phillips cancelled out Martin Paterson's early strike in a first-half dominated by the visitors but although Blues improved after the break they were unable to find a winner.

Paterson was on hand to tap in from close range in just the third minute after Robbie Blake's cross-shot had fizzed across the face of the Birmingham goal.

Burnley had several chances to extend their lead, but the hosts grabbed an equaliser eight minutes before the break when Phillips slotted the ball past Brian Jensen from 12 yards.

Birmingham picked up the pace after the interval and Sebastian Larsson almost put them in front with a delightful free-kick from 25 yards.

However, the play-off chasing Clarets defended resolutely to claim a deserved share of the spoils and could have snatched a winner late on through Steven Thompson's header.

Larsson started at right-back for Birmingham in place of the injured Stuart Parnaby, while Honduran forward Carlos Costly was included among Alex McLeish's substitutes after receiving his international clearance.

On-loan Middlesbrough youngster Rhys Williams returned to the Burnley side after missing the 3-1 FA Cup victory over West Brom, with Kevin McDonald dropping to the bench as a result.

The visitors started impressively and after Paterson's 11th league goal of the season had put them in front, Thompson volleyed over the bar from the edge of the area.

Blake then scuffed a shot wide following good work from Paterson, while at the other end Cameron Jerome also missed the target with a left-footed effort from 20 yards.

Burnley came close to doubling their lead after 20 minutes but Maik