Middlesbrough's richly talented side were put out of their stride by
determined and positive Birmingham who were well worth their valuable point.
Boro, currently enjoying a rich vein of form, often displayed some cultured
football but it was Birmingham who often dominated long spells.
The introduction of their new £1million striker Dele Adebola was
enthusiastically received as the former Crewe player immediately produced some
good attacking play to put Middlesbrough's defence under pressure.
In a hectic finish it was Middlesbrough who were hanging on desperately to
save a draw.
Birmingham made an explosive start to the game with Jon McCarthy giving them a
third minute lead when Middlesbrough's defence was sadly exposed.
This goal set the tone for Birmingham's display which was one of their best
performances of the season and augurs well for their promotion prospects.
Steve Baker, who was later substituted following a harrowing 30 minutes, was
the player who created the goal for Birmingham.
The Middlesbrough defender inexplicably put a pass across the face of his own
goal and McCarthy latched onto the opening to obtain his fourth goal of the
season.
At this stage Birmingham were in outstanding form hitting Middlesbrough's
defence with a series of penetrative attacks.
Bryan Hughes twice shot wide and later hooked the ball over the bar after
another defence-splitting run from McCarthy.
Following the ease of their midweek win over Tranmere, Boro were not very
assertive.
On loan Michael Thomas struggled for the first half-hour but then came to
terms with the opposition, and suddenly Middlesbrough were a different side.
Gianluca Festa, in particular, displayed the determination to get the
Riversiders back on course.
The Italian, back in the side after missing two games, moved forward and took
a smart return pass from Paul Merson to equalise with a powerful 20-yard cross
shot past Ian Bennett seven minutes before half-time.
This goal changed the course of the game as Middlesbrough assumed control for
the next 30 minutes when Birmingham were forced to hang on grimly.
Merson displayed his class although he was restricted to long-range efforts
which never troubled Bennett.
The introduction of Adebola, however, swung the game back in Birmingham's
favour and in a frantic finish the Midlanders went close to winning on several
occasions.
Teams
Birmingham: Bennett, Bass, Charlton (Johnson 71), Bruce, Ablett,
Marsden, McCarthy, O'Connor, Furlong, Hughes (Ndlovu 71),
Forster (Adebola 61).
Goals: McCarthy 3.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Baker (Harrison 71), Kinder, Vickers,
Festa, Mustoe, Hignett, Townsend, Beck, Merson, Thomas.
Subs Not Used: Moreno, Divvle.
Goals: Festa 38.
Att: 20,639
Ref: M E Pierce (Portsmouth).
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