Barnsley 1 Birmingham 1: Match report
Jerome then had a goal ruled out for offside after 34 minutes as Blues started to provide evidence they could turn their possession into something more tangible.
It was the home side, however, who perhaps should have been given the chance to open the scoring when they had a penalty claim waved away after 53 minutes.
Jamal Campbell-Ryce cut a pass before getting in behind the defence via a one-two with Macken. But, just as the Jamaican was about to receive the ball back, he tripped with Larsson in close attendance. Referee Graham Horwood waved away the penalty claim, which drew an animated display of bemusement from Campbell-Ryce.
Larsson then almost played Johnson in at the other end but he did not have the pace to get on the end of his through-ball.
The game though was stepping up in pace and Johnson was soon substituted for the quicker Scott Sinclair.
The on-loan Chelsea winger's first action was to play in Jerome, the striker shooting straight at Heinz Muller from an angle.
But it was the home side who went ahead 10 minutes from the end when Martin Taylor mis-timed his leap as he attempted to clear a cross.
He could only help the ball on to Mifsud behind him who had the time and the composure to take a touch before picking his spot from just six yards.
Taylor would, however, make up for his defensive blunder just a few minutes later when he was hand to turn in a free-kick the home side failed to deal with.
And after Wolves were also held to a draw tonight, it meant Blues remain three points off the leaders.
