Blues Match Zone

Birmingham Held By Ipswich Town

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Birmingham started against Ipswich with an unchanged team that beat Brighton 1-0 on Saturday. Both Lee Novak and David Davis managed to shake off injuries to play in the game, Paul Caddis took the armband. The game ended in a draw despite the hosts leading twice in the game.

Ipswich managed the first action of note. Tabb`s cross sailed straight out for a goal kick after getting down the left. Randolph was soon called into action, he saved a quick shot from Daryl Murphy after Tabb`s initial effort was blocked.

Anderson provided another avenue for Ipswich as he got away from the Blues defender to cross towards Sammon. The chance eventually fell to Ando who fired over. Birmingham then provided a scare after Dean Gerken dropped a catch in the area, Lee Novak blasted over from 12 yards.

Novak then had a header comfortably saved by Gerken from a cross the reached the back post from Caddis. Ipswich Town then went forward with Tabb who played through Hyam, his looping strike found Murphy who shot wide.

23 minutes in and Donaldson laid it off to Novak, his low drive flashed past the post. Donaldson was then involved again as he shot wide, good play by Cotterill to get down the line and pull it back to the striker.

Birmingham again tested Ipswich with Cotterill sending in a cross, it found Novak in behind the Town keeper. Gerken got back to parry the shot and keep the teams level. Following a period of good play, Birmingham got their goal. David Edgar headed home unmarked from yet another Cotterill contribution from a corner 1-0.

Novak continued an impressive performance with a 30 yard strike that flew just wide. David Edgar then was involved in Blues box. Murphy crossed in and found Sammon, he tried to turn Edgar but the Canadian fended him off to protect the lead.

Birmingham finished the first half leading the game. Ipswich started brightly before the Blues slowly but surely took control of the game.

Mick McCarthy`s team talk must have had an effect on his players, just five minutes gone in the second half and Berra headed home from a Anderson freekick. Ipswich went close moments later from an Anderson cross, Murphy`s header was deflected for a corner.

Randolph to the rescue, a fantastic save by the Blues stopper kept out Anderson. Murphy then headed over from the resulting corner with a free header,

Lee Clark made a change for Birmingham on 60 minutes. David Davis was replaced by Stephen Gleeson. Ipswich then took off Conor Sammon for David McGoldrick as they went for a winner.

Against the run of play the home side regained the lead. Wes Thomas picked up a pass blocked by Gleeson and played through Clayton Donaldson, he was not going to be caught and finished for 2-1. McGoldrick tried to level things for the visitors with a dipping shot that sailed wide.

Novak got in behind and squared it for Donaldson but the striker slipped and screwed his shot horrible wide, should have been a goal. Cotterill`s cross found Grant hall at the far post and his effort went over.

Denny Johnstone was brought on at 81 minutes for his home debut in place of Thomas. Ipswich brought off Murphy and Tabb for Balint Bajner and Alex Henshall. A big shout then went up for a Birmingham penalty as Caddis went down, the referee waved play on.

Chambers went close with a header that was deflected wide after a good ball in from Henshall. Birmingham had more to worry about from Henshall, he ran away from Spector but his cross couldn`t find the area.

Clark made his final change on 88 minutes. Paul Robinson was brought on for Cotterill. Robinson was booked almost immediately for a foul on Bajner. The home side were unimpressed as they saw the board go up that added on five minutes.

Ipswich did manage a chance in the closing stages, a McGoldrick flick was straight at Darren Randolph. Christophe Berra again popped up in the box to head in late to save a point for Ipswich Town in the 94th minute from an Anderson ball in.

Birmingham will feel they should of held on for all three points after conceding so late in the game. Ipswich will no doubt feel they deserved at least a point and at times in the game would have hoped to of made more of their chances to get a valuable away win.

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