Norwich enhanced their Coca-Cola Championship survival hopes by battling back to draw with automatic promotion hopefuls Birmingham at St Andrews.

Cameron Jerome headed Birmingham into a half-time lead, despite the visitors being in the ascendancy for much of the opening 45 minutes - with debutant Alan Lee having an effort ruled out for offside after four minutes.

But Norwich levelled eight minutes into the second half when Sammy Clingan converted a 25-yard free-kick for his fourth goal of the season.

Birmingham threw on top scorer Kevin Phillips, making his return from a torn hamstring, but could not claim a second - and found Norwich stopper David Marshall in inspired form.

The Scotland international denied Phillips and Jerome late on as the visitors held on for a valuable point which leaves Blues second in the standings.

The Canaries are 20th and have extended the gap to the relegation zone to two points, after third-from-bottom Nottingham Forest lost 1-0 at home to league leaders Wolves.

Norwich started on top, and Lee fired over from six yards following a corner.

The former Ipswich striker was then denied the opportunity to become an instant success in canary yellow.

Lee, on loan from Crystal Palace, breached Birmingham's defence early on - only to be frustrated by the assistant referee's flag.

Simon Lappin was then off target with a shot from the edge of the area. Lappin was making his first appearance of the season - he last appeared in a Canaries shirt in November 2007, 74 games ago - in place of suspended midfielder Darel Russell.

Jon Otsemobor and David Mooney, who has scored in the last two games, shot wide for Norwich - and Bouazza had a shot blocked for the hosts.

Garry O'Connor crossed for Bouazza to head straight at Marshall, as Blues finally had an effort on target.

Alan Gow dragged an effort wide, before Birmingham went ahead when Bouazza crossed from the left for Jerome to head in from six yards.

Gow shot wide, and Lappin had an effort held by Maik Taylor as Norwich failed to make their pressure tell.

Taylor saved Gow's close-range attempt early in the second period before Bouazza headed Sebastian Larsson's cross wide.

Norwich were then rewarded for their endeavour with an equaliser after 53 minutes.

Lee Carsley fouled David Mooney, and Clingan whipped in a terrific free-kick beyond Taylor from 25 yards.

Jerome shot wide as Birmingham attempted to respond, before Alex McLeish introduced former England international striker Phillips.

Liam Ridgewell headed over from six yards, and Gow was again denied by Taylor at the other end.

Marshall saved a Phillips effort before blocking Jerome's close-range header, as Norwich held on for a deserved point.

Teams

Birmingham Maik Taylor, Carr, Jaidi, Ridgewell,Queudrue (Murphy 81), Larsson, Carsley, Bowyer,Bouazza (Sinclair 63), O'Connor (Phillips 68), Jerome.

Subs Not Used: Doyle, Fahey.

Goals: Jerome 38.

Norwich Marshall, Otsemobor, Doherty, Shackell, Bertrand, Gow,Clingan, Lappin, Carney, Mooney, Lee.

Subs Not Used: Nelson, Drury, McDonald, Smith, Adeyemi.

Booked: Lee, Marshall.

Goals: Clingan 53.

Att: 18,159

Ref: Mark Haywood (W Yorkshire).