Birmingham remain on course for a place in the First Division play-off
shake-up but they will hardly go into it in top form.
Boss Trevor Francis is still singing the blues after City stretched their
games without a win to 10, not that they came to Burnley for anything other than
a point - playing just one striker was evidence of the cautious tactics.
That they survived to take a share of the spoils was down to two outstanding
saves from Ian Bennett and a last-minute howler from Gareth Taylor.
The striker, on loan from Manchester City, somehow managed to direct a header
wide of the target from just four yards.
The point keeps Burnley with an outside chance of a top six finish but they
should have taken full reward instead of enduring Turf Moor's first goalless
draw of the season.
Burnley felt they should have had a penalty five minutes into the second half
when a header from Kevin Ball appeared to be handled by Michael Johnson.
But referee Roger Fernandez waved away Burnley's claim.
City keeper Bennett did remarkably well to tip over a first-half blockbuster
from Paul Weller and performed the feat 15 minutes from time to keep out a
volley from veteran Ball.
The Blues rarely threatened although Marcelo fought hard in the role of lone
striker and forced Burnley's Greek goalkeeper Nik Michopoulos into a fine diving
save with a header.
City midfielder Danny Sonner needed six stitches in an eye injury in a game
littered with mis-timed tackles and mis-placed passes.
But a point is of greater value to the visitors who have now gone 10 games
without a win.
Burnley needed a maximum return but they will be encouraged by a spirited
performance even though Taylor missed a great chance to set the ground alight at
the death.
Teams
Burnley: Michopoulos, Briscoe (Maylett 67), West (Cox 78), Davis, Thomas, Armstrong (Payton 78), Little, Weller, Ball, Moore, Taylor.
Subs Not Used: Crichton, Mullin.
Booked: Ball.
Birmingham: Bennett, Eaden, Michael Johnson, Purse, Holdsworth, McCarthy, Hughes (Lazaridis 66), O'Connor, Woodhouse, Sonner (Pollock 85), Marcelo.
Subs Not Used: Burrows, Poole, Gill.
Booked: Purse, McCarthy, Sonner.
Att: 17,057.
Ref: R Furnandiz (Doncaster).
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