Birmingham narrowly failed in their bid to make the First Division play-offs
despite a frantic attacking display against Charlton.
The Blues finish level on points with Sheffield United, but the Yorkshire
outfit, despite losing at Stockport, make the play-offs on account of having
scored more goals.
Birmingham, who completed the season with an unbeaten run of eight games, did
everything but score the vital goal which would have given them a lifeline to
the Premiership.
They were repeatedly foiled in this emotionally-charged game by a brilliant
display from Charlton's goalkeeper Sasa Ilic.
The Yugoslav-born goalkeeper had an inspired game as he continually thwarted
Birmingham's efforts to break the stalemate.
The pressure on both teams was intense, particularly in the opening stages,
but it was Birmingham who were always the more positive in attack and they can
count themselves unfortunate not to have won.
But it was Charlton's Mark Bright who wasted the first clear-cut opening when
he misdirected his header from Shaun Newton's cross just wide of the upright.
As the game settled down Birmingham emerged the more dangerous. It was during
this spell that Richard Rufus and Eddie Youds emerged as stalwart defenders for
Charlton.
But there was little doubt that the Londoners were indebted to Ilic for
keeping them in the game.
He made a brilliant save in the first period from a Peter Ndlovu header and
then fingertipped away a crashing drive from Martin O'Connor.
A glancing header by Furlong from Chris Marsden's free-kick went agonisingly
wide to illustrate Birmingham's frustration and unsuccessful bid to break the
stalemate.
Furlong, Birmingham's leading goalscorer, continued to go through a harrowing
spell in his bid to open his side's account.
Early in the second period Ndlovu created a clear opening, but the unlucky
Furlong could only watch in disbelief as his header hit the post and bounced
back into play.
With the news of Sheffield United trailing at Stockport, Birmingham
intensified their bid to gain the vital goal they required but Ilic continued to
be a stumbling block.
Late in the game the Charlton keeper pushed out another effort from Furlong
and then, in a nail-biting finish, saved in quick succession from substitute
Brian Hughes and the ever-dangerous Ndlovu.
Teams:
Birmingham: Poole, Gill (Purse 65), Charlton, Bruce, Johnson,
Marsden, McCarthy (Hughes 73), O'Connor, Adebola, Ndlovu,
Furlong (Forster 80).
Charlton: Ilic, Mills, Bowen, K. Jones, Rufus, Youds, Newton,
Kinsella, Bright (Lisbie 71), Mendonca, Heaney (S. Jones 59).
Subs Not Used: Brown.
Booked: Rufus, Newton, Heaney, Kinsella.
Att: 25,877
Ref: R J Harris (Oxford).
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