Birmingham battled to secure what could prove to be a crucial point in their relegation fight as they moved out of the bottom three after a 1-1 draw at 10-man West Ham.

Freddie Ljungberg gave the Hammers an early lead when he netted from close range.

However, the Blues were level on 16 minutes when James McFadden converted from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by Lucas Neill.

From then on, the visitors did enough to frustrate the home side and earn a share of the spoils with a determined second-half performance as Hammers midfielder Lee Bowyer was dismissed late on for his challenge on Damien Johnson.

West Ham had been involved in a relegation scrap themselves last season, but have found more consistency under Alan Curbishley and sit in relative mid-table security.

It was a bright start by the hosts, with Dean Ashton looking lively and keen to impress watching England manager Fabio Capello.

West Ham took the lead in the seventh minute when from a long throw in, Carlton Cole headed the ball across goal towards the right-hand post, where Ljungberg arrived to stab home from close range.

The Hammers were in full flow now, and a well-worked move found Bowyer with the space to shoot from the edge of the area - but his low effort was just wide.

Birmingham were forced to quickly regroup, or face being over-run, although West Ham continued to press forwards.

Ljungberg fed Hayden Mullins just outside the penalty area, and his chip found Cole. However, the former England Under-21 man dragged his volley wide.

The Blues were handed a life-line after 16 minutes when referee Mark Clattenburg pointed to the spot following a needless foul by Hammers captain Neill on McFadden.

The Scot got up to take the penalty himself, and made no mistake from 12 yards, beating Robert Green with a low strike into the left corner.

West Ham - who have beaten both Manchester United and Liverpool at home - were soon back on the offensive.

However, despite plenty of positive build-up, Curbishley's men were unable to find a decisive pass in the final third - much to the frustration of the home faithful.

Birmingham were breaking down the play well, and then pressing themselves.

However, with only Mikael Forssell up front, the visitors needed to get more men in support.

As the half-hour mark approached, Matthew Etherington got away down the left, and cut the ball back towards the penalty spot. However, Bowyer had to stretch and his shot lacked pace, as Taylor got down to make the save.

At the other end, Forssell headed straight at Green when he was picked out in the middle by McFadden.

West Ham then worked the ball along the line, through Ashton and out to Etherington on the left. His strike was well saved at the near post by Maik Taylor.

Mullins flashed in a low drive after the ball dropped to him 20 yards out, but it was straight at the busy Blues keeper.

When West Ham did make some progress in the second half, the choice of final delivery was poor.

The atmosphere, unsurprisingly, inside Upton Park became somewhat subdued.

Birmingham - who had not won in seven straight games - continued to frustrate the home side, yet without creating too much themselves.

However, on 56 minutes, a low drive from Gary McSheffrey almost sneaked into the bottom right corner, but was deflected behind.

Ashton - who did not feature in Capello's squad for the friendly against Switzerland - blasted a loose ball over from 20 yards, which just about summed up the game.

The former Norwich striker then had another chance to grab the headlines when he weaved into space on the edge of the area, but dragged a low shot wide.

West Ham continued to have the better of possession, but were unable to create a decent opening around the Birmingham penalty area.

Etherington sent over a free-kick from the left, which Matthew Upson headed down, but the England defender was denied by a good reaction save from Taylor.

At the other end, Forssell flashed a low effort across goal, before he was replaced by Cameron Jerome for the final 14 minutes.

West Ham were reduced to 10 men when Bowyer was dismissed late on for his challenge on Johnson.

Teams:

West Ham Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Ljungberg, Bowyer, Mullins, Etherington (Camara 83), Ashton (Spector 90), Cole (Faubert 62).

Subs Not Used: Wright, Collison.

Sent Off: Bowyer (88).

Goals: Ljungberg 7.

Birmingham Maik Taylor, Kelly, Martin Taylor, Ridgewell, Murphy, Larsson, Muamba, Johnson, McSheffrey (Parnaby 87), Forssell (Jerome 76), McFadden.

Subs Not Used: Doyle, Nafti, Zarate.

Booked: Johnson, McSheffrey, Muamba, Maik Taylor, Jerome.

Goals: McFadden 16 pen.

Att: 34,884

Ref: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear).