Birmingham's slender promotion hopes disappeared as they failed to beat lowly Port Vale.

In a frantic finish Peter Ndlovu scored an 86th minute equaliser to cancel out Gareth Ainsworth's 58th minute goal for Vale.

Ndlovu then missed a last minute penalty which was saved by Vale's goalkeeper, Paul Musselwhite after Paul Furlong had been fouled by Dean Glover.

Port Vale eased their own relegation fears with this valuable point after they refused to bow to Birmingham's persistent pressure.

Port Vale's central defender Dave Barnett, who formerly played for Birmingham, was outstanding, while Musselwhite also took the honours with several vital saves capped by his last minute penalty effort.

In a goalless first half Birmingham's familiar problems were again evident when they failed dismally to turn some superior attacking play into goals.

Often they were far too elaborate allowing Port Vale's defence to cut out any danger.

Both Ndlovu and Dele Adebola should have pressurised Vale's defence but they lacked the finishing spark.

Barnett, who has produced some consistent form for Vale since his recent transfer from Dunfermline, was a key figure in this period cutting out any danger.

The best chance of either side breaking the stalemate occurred seconds before half time when Birmingham's veteran skipper Steve Bruce scooped the ball high over the ball from about the penalty spot.

Bruce, recalled following a one match suspension, held his head in embarrassment after such a woeful miss.

It proved to be an expensive miss as in the 58th minute the Jan Janson took an inswinging free-kick and the tiny Ainsworth headed home from just inside the side yard box.

In a frantic finish Ndlovu equalised following a corner but then blotted his copy-book with his dismal penalty.

Teams

Birmingham: Bennett, Bass, Charlton, Bruce, Johnson, Marsden, McCarthy (Forster 76), O'Connor, Adebola, Hughes (Furlong 64), Ndlovu.

Subs Not Used: Ablett.

Booked: Charlton.

Goals: Ndlovu 87.

Port Vale: Musselwhite, Carragher, Tankard, Bogie, Glover, Barnett, Ainsworth, Talbot, Mills, Naylor (Foyle 89), Jansson (Porter 87).

Subs Not Used: Corden.

Booked: Carragher.

Goals: Ainsworth 58.

Att: 17,193

Ref: G Cain (Bootle).