David Johnson pushed Ipswich back into second place with his 16th goal of the season after an enthralling battle with promotion rivals Birmingham ended in stalemate at St. Andrews.

Johnson's 45th-minute strike extended Ipswich's unbeaten run to 18 games and spared the blushes of the experienced Ipswich central defender Tony Mowbray whose own goal had given Birmingham a 17th-minute lead.

The point for Birmingham moved them back into fifth place, but the draw ended a run of five successive home wins.

Despite the fact that the unfortunate Mowbray gave Birmingham the lead, their breakthrough owed much to the vision of midfielder Martin Grainger and the pace and power of striker Dele Adebola.

When Grainger sent Adebola clear, the £1million forward surged forward and unleashed a fierce drive that Ipswich keeper Richard Wright did well to palm away.

But the loose ball fell to the Birmingham wing-back Simon Charlton and when he fired a cross into the area, the luckless Mowbray headed the ball straight into his own net.

The goal capped an impressive opening spell for Birmingham, but once they broke the deadlock it only served to spark Ipswich into life.

They threatened to force their way back into the game twice in the space of 60 seconds.

Johnson saw his 18-yard drive pushed away by Birmingham keeper Ian Bennett in the 31st minute before, from the resulting corner, Jamie Clapham lashed a fierce 25-yard drive against the post.

They were warnings that Birmingham failed to heed as Ipswich deservedly drew level in first-half injury time.

John McGreal fired forward a free-kick that Mowbray flicked on to striker Marcus Stewart. Stewart then turned provider for Johnson with a smart knock down that the former Bury marksman lashed past Bennett at the far post.

After being pegged back, Birmingham went on the offensive by sending on striker Peter Ndlovu at the start of the second-half for his first appearance after more than four months on the sidelines with an ankle ligament injury.

Ndlovu had a chance to make a dream comeback but he squandered a golden chance from close range on the hour after a centre from Adebola.

Ipswich then survived a major scare in the 64th minute when Wright picked up a back-pass from McGreal.

Birmingham were presented with an opening eight yards from goal, but Grainger's shot was beaten away by a relieved Wright.

Ipswich were forced to soak up long spells of pressure as the game wore on, but they still had an opportunity to gain a priceless success when Johnson failed to make the most of a close-range header in the 84th minute.

Teams

Birmingham (1) 1 Ipswich (1) 1

Birmingham: Bennett, Holdsworth, Purse, M. Johnson, Rowett, Hughes, Carrick (Gill 77), Charlton (Ndlovu 45), Grainger, Adebola, Rankin (Lazaridis 68).

Subs Not Used: Marcelo, Poole.

Goals: Mowbray 17 og.

Ipswich: R. Wright, Clegg, McGreal, Mowbray, Brown, Clapham, Magilton, Holland, Scowcroft, Johnson, Stewart.

Subs Not Used: Naylor, Wilnis, Stockwell, J. Wright, Salmon.

Goals: Johnson 45.

Att: 20,493

Ref: A Leake (Darwen, Lancs).