Christophe Berra netted twice, the second deep into injury time, as Town grabbed a 2-2 draw at Birmingham having been behind twice. David Edgar put the home side in front on the half hour, Berra equalised for the Blues five minutes after the break, Clayton Donaldson put Birmingham back in front before the Scottish international’s late, late leveller.

Boss Mick McCarthy handed new loan signing Conor Sammon his full debut and Paul Anderson his first start of the season with David McGoldrick - who had started only his first game since returning from injury at Reading - and Elliott Hewitt dropping to the bench.

The game got off to a quiet start, skipper Luke Chambers weakly hitting the first shot through to home keeper Darren Randolph from distance in the sixth minute.

Town, in orange, had had the better of the opening spell and seriously threatened for the first time in the 10th minute. Anderson’s cross from the left found Jay Tabb, whose shot deflected to Daryl Murphy, but keeper Randolph saved the Irishman’s 10-yard effort.

Anderson, who had temporarily switched flanks with Tabb, got away down the left again in the 13th minute but Sammon was unable to do anything with his cross and the ball ran back out wide. However, the Blues midfielder's subsequent strike flew a long way past the post.

There was a scare for the Blues in the 15th minute when Dean Gerken dropped the ball from a Jonathan Grounds freekick from halfway. The keeper felt he had been fouled but Lee Novak in any case sent the loose ball well over. Two minutes later, the former Huddersfield man headed Paul Caddis’s right-wing cross straight at Gerken.

The Blues then had a couple of opportunities to break the deadlock at the other end. Tabb, who was back on the left, brought the ball inside and fed Luke Hyam but the midfielder scuffed his shot. The loose ball fell to Murphy but the striker’s mis-hit effort looped well wide.

Novak shot wide for the home side in the 23rd minute, then at the other end Chambers beat Clayton Donaldson in a challenge midway inside the Birmingham half but then scraped a poor effort well wide.

Birmingham weren’t too far away from going in front on 25 when David Cotterill found himself space on the right and crossed low towards Donaldson, but the former Crewe man diverted the ball wide from six yards.

On 29 Cotterill sent over another dangerous right-wing cross which Wes Thomas flicked on to Novak at the far post, but Gerken blocked, the ball going out of play off the Birmingham man.

The home team were looking increasingly threatening and right on the half hour they went in front. Cotterill sent over a corner from the right and an unmarked Edgar powered a header home.

Birmingham celebrated as skipper Chambers, Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra began an inquest into who ought to have been looking after the former Burnley man.

After an Anderson freekick on the right had come to nothing, Novak hit a powerful strike wide for the home team, who ended an 18-game home winless run by beating Brighton 1-0 at the weekend.

Murphy did well to find the space to cross from the right in the 37th minute but Sammon was unable to get to the ball and goalscorer Edgar cleared.

Town couldn’t complain too much about the scoreline at the break. After a subdued start the Blues had got on top and created one or two chances but had failed to take them.

As was the case in the first half at Reading, the home side gradually gained the ascendency and the goal - as on Saturday a very preventable one - had looked increasingly likely when it came.

In the remaining quarter of an hour, the Blues, lacking the spark usually provided by the on-the-bench McGoldrick, never seriously looked like grabbing an equaliser.

But five minutes after the restart, the did get back on terms. Anderson sent over a freekick from the right and Berra flicked - or at least claimed to have flicked - into the net at the far post.

Whether the Scottish international - who scored his first goal in English football in the corresponding fixture last year - did get a touch wasn’t immediately clear.

Having looked somewhat lacklustre before the break, the momentum was suddenly with the Blues. A minute later Murphy nodded Anderson’s cross only just past Randolph’s post.

Keeper Randolph did well to push Anderson’s well-struck 20-yard effort wide on 67, then from the resultant corner Murphy headed over when unmarked.

As the match reached the hour mark McGoldrick replaced Sammon for Town, while Stephen Gleeson took over from David Davis in midfield for the home side.

Three minutes later, the home side got their noses back in front. Town were in possession and on the attack but Cole Skuse’s pass was blocked by Gleeson just inside the Birmingham half. The ball fell to Thomas, who sent Donaldson away behind the Town defence and the striker slipped home just before Berra slid in to challenge.

Again it was a poor goal to concede and manager McCarthy took out his frustrations on the dug-out.

McGoldrick shot wide, then Chambers headed over from a corner for the Blues, then the home side had an even better opportunity when Novak was found in space on the left but Donaldson directed his cross well wide when he ought to have done better.

Grant Hall headed a Cotterill cross over on 70, then as the game moved into its final quarter of an hour a strong Mings run down the left ended with a low cross which Hall cut out.

Alex Henshall and Balint Bajner replaced Tabb and Murphy for the final 10 minutes, while Denny Johstone took over from the lively Thomas for Birmingham.

The Blues for fortunate not to have penalty awarded against them on 82 when Caddis skipped into the area and looked to be tripped by Smith. However, referee Roger East wasn’t interested.

As the game moved towards its final five minutes Henshall crossed from the left and Chambers’s goal-bound header was blocked by Jonathan Grounds.

The Blues didn’t threaten again before the fourth official signalled five additional minutes.

McGoldrick looped a Bajner cross from the left into Randolph’s arms but if anything Birmingham looked the more likely scorers, Donaldson failing to find a team-mate with a low cross then losing out to Mings as the ball was played down the middle.

However, with three minutes of injury time gone, the Blues levelled. Bajner flicked on Mings’s long ball, Anderson crossed and Berra - who had been pushed forward for the final moments - dived to powerfully head home his second goal of the game.

Town even threatened to pull off an unlikely win seconds before the whistle with the home side making heavy weather of defending a freekick before Randolph claimed.

A defeat would have been somewhat hard on Birmingham who will feel aggrieved that they failed to pick up all three points having been ahead so late in the game and having had what looked a clear-cut penalty turned down.

For Town, it was very much a point gained after twice going behind to poor goals and having been on the right end of the contentious penalty decision.

After getting back on terms and with the momentum with them, the Blues surrendered the impetus and there really ought to have been no way back into the game by the time Berra - who must love St Andrew's having score three goals in his last two games there - netted his second equaliser of the match.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Berra, Smith, Mings, Skuse, Hyam, Tabb (Henshall 80), Anderson, Murphy (Bajner 80), Sammon (McGoldrick 60). Unused: Bialkowski, Parr, Hewitt, Bru.

Birmingham: Randolph, Grounds, Caddis, Edgar, Spector, Hall, Davis (Gleeson 60), Cotterill (Robinson 88), Novak, Donaldson, Thomas (Johnstone 80). Unused: Doyle, Duffy, Brown, Gray. Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire). Att: 14,022 (Town: 790).

Photo: Action Images

thebeat added 23:48 - Aug 19 I fear for us on Saturday. Brum are an awful team and we have to scrap for a late point? Im afraid we are no better than last season, Evans needs to wake up and realise free transfers will only go so far, we wont get out of this division with nothing but freebies. We are still very pedestrian with little creativity. Another season of winning against the poor teams at home by grinding them down, but will struggle against the better teams while away we are just playing for 23 0-0 draws and have no real plan b when we go behind. Different season same old s**t

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Luka added 00:08 - Aug 20 Funny 0-0, weren't it Beat?......
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thebeat added 00:19 - Aug 20 Luka that would have been the original plan. It always is. Set piece for the first goal, and then throwing Berra upfront late to scrape a point against a woeful Birmingham side. Anybody who watches us game in game out can see how the team is set up. Winning is not the priority away from home, not losing is. The problem is Evans doesnt back Mick and Mick doesnt back the players he has to go and get results away from home. The fact that Chambers is still at right back after 12 months says it all for me. Square peg in a round hole cus he thinks it makes us defensively stronger. All the best full backs these days are attacking full backs. I think all the beatings Wolves took in the prem have made McCarthy gun shy which means safety first every time. Like Keaneish said earlier 4 games into the season and im bored already

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Luka added 00:34 - Aug 20 Cesar Azpilicueta was the best full-back in the prem - A) a RB at LB, and B), Defensively minded. If you're bored, vote with your feet
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kesgrave_bluey added 03:55 - Aug 20 last year we would have been winning by a fluky goal an d we would give it way in the last minute so some improvement, could have done with frank at the end.
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lowtit added 06:30 - Aug 20 hmm - fearing a scum whitewash now -
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BrandonsBlues added 07:25 - Aug 20 read Mulletts report - excellent Mullett post your report here to stop the rot of comments. Will the players be up for Saturday i doubt they will and fear a defeat at home.
3

sirmichealmills added 07:26 - Aug 20 skuse,tabb,hyam - last season zero goal threat skuse,tabb,hyam - this season zero goal threat if the new signings aren't any better/ more of a goal threat then what was the point in getting them. scum to win by at least 3 goals i'm afraid
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Keaneish added 07:34 - Aug 20 Walk_the_wark - i believe he's a solid manager who has given us stability when we needed it so he was the right appointment but every manager's personality is reflected in their team and their team selection in my opinion and we're becoming less and less interesting by the day. Make of that what you will.
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NoelTheDub added 08:23 - Aug 20 Mick you have to take Tabb out if you are going to stick with Hyam and Skuse in the middle because the only guy last night trying to supply our forwards was Anderson.We clearly need another winger on the pitch and take the game to them instead of waiting to go a goal down.This league again is wide open as results have shown already so give it a good go you have a good back 4 and 2 holding midfielders so the other 4 could be far more attack minded.Managers already know how we are set up and counter this so change your ways at times instead of changing like for like.

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kesgrave_bluey added 08:29 - Aug 20 it was more enjoyable with keane or jewell
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brian_a_mul added 08:49 - Aug 20 Birmingham celebrated as skipper Chambers, Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra began an inquest into who ought to have been looking after the former Burnley man. What was the verdict?
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brassy added 08:55 - Aug 20 might be a good idea when playing away to a team in blue to call us town rather than two teams of blues less confusing.
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hogster1970 added 09:03 - Aug 20 well i went last night, for me chambers fault for the first goal, and defo scuse for the second. best player on the pitch was anderson, scuse was woefull , tab not much better in the first half, but better in the second.when we went behind for the second time thats when he should have brought on henshall, in just 10 mins he put in 2 quality balls into the box, as we have no cresswell be desperatly need that. for sat we need henshall in , maybe woody or collinson in for scuse, and start didsy.

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hogster1970 added 09:04 - Aug 20 other wise redmond will rip tabb apart down the wing
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 09:33 - Aug 20 Budgies are obviously going to be there or thereabouts this season. I reckon Mick will play safe on Saturday : I.e. I doubt Henshall will start. Hope I'm wrong. It will be Murphy and McG up front: that's ok, even though I'd prefer McG just behind a front two of Murphy and Badger/Sammon. Bad vibes after the Brum game, but things are unpredictable and can change quickly in this division. No one has max. points after only 3 games. I'll be over to cheer on the Blues in person. Hope they make it really worth my while. Let's fill the ground (despite the prices).

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Bluetone added 10:24 - Aug 20 @ Brian quote "Birmingham celebrated as skipper Chambers, Tommy Smith and Christophe Berra began an inquest into who ought to have been looking after the former Burnley man. What was the verdict?" They decided to phone a friend.
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Bergholtblue added 10:28 - Aug 20 I think we miss Cresswell more then we ever realised that we would. Those who thought that Mings would be as good have been proven wrong so far. That's why Tabb is played all the time, so as to give Mings some protection. The sooner we get Parr into that position the better, then Henshall can play a more attacking role on the left.
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cornishblu added 10:52 - Aug 20 ...well up and about after a lateish night last night and already some way behind the rants about this game. On the positive....I for one was reasonably pleased with the first 30 minutes...a great relief not to see the ball just hoofed in the air , lots of neat passing (albeit no end product) gave the travelling Cornish contingent some hope that football may be on the agenda. ...post 30 minutes and easily the most gifted goal I have ever seen us give an opposition side we went back to plan a. Hoofing the ball, flick ons to players that just weren't there and a midfield that were once again non existent. For those of you that don't go, can't go, already choosing not to go (Crawley away 830...brum away 790.....capital cup games no point in winning ...never get big crowds..oh wait MK dons will be selling out their 29000 capacity ground in the next round!!! )....please don't believe everything that you read in these reports.....and sadly as has already been commented on ...seemingly more so from MM. Birmingham were poor , very poor and from 5 minutes in town supporters were waiting for our team to realise this and batter them...the home support bar the "five track suited" gentlemen up in the corner, silent and anticipating the same.......so much so that it was just sheer disbelief when we offered them a free header with no one within 6 yards to gift them a lead. ...where was Gerkin???....think lots of rants will continue to happen.....all we want you to do us shout...shout and organise your defenders...your 6 yard box is not an invisible force field...you can step over that line to collect the ball!!!......and with a wobbling defence you need to step up...give them encouragement Midfield .....without a doubt Skuses worst game in a town shirt...his saving grace...no one to replace him...already looks as though he needs a break ..4games in!!! Forwards....murphy looked out if sorts and Conor will not be the answer....however didzy showed us what a player should look like with ball control, ability to turn and look up for a pass and make that pass count....only need a few more of those and we will be happy days. ...get out of jail MM....we absolutely did ....and it was a great feeling...and certainly helped the journey home.....sadly what it does is continue to cover over the cracks. Simply Goalie needs to step up and help defence while mings learns his trade. Midfield...we need one Forwards...another didzy would be great ....stop these frustrating flick ons to no body... ...learn to keep ball on floor ....fight for those second balls. ...so desperately want to see chambers fist pump all four sides of Portman road on Saturday ...let's hope it happens ...and for those who are undecided buy a ticket for Saturday make Portman road rock and then decide....don't believe everything that you read on here .....the boys need a lift and a boost.....they need your support ....see you Saturday COYB

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Luka added 11:26 - Aug 20 Wordsworth and Hyam for me, drop Skuse from the 18, Sign Collison, stick him and Tabb on the bench. Start Henshall and Anderson. Bialkowski for Gerken, McGoldrick for Sammon. Bialkowski, Chambers, Berra, Smith, Mings Anderson, Hyam, Wordsworth, Henshall McGoldrick, Murphy That is how I would go. Opinions?
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blueherts added 11:46 - Aug 20 Well as I said last year we set up 'not to lose' rather than to win . What is frustrating is seeing lower league proven scorers going to Barnsley ( Winall ) and Brentford ( Hogan ) Yes we have NO MONEY but 750k for Hogan maybe good business ? Sarcevic at Fleetwood - decent midfield player - seem him afew times and likes to go fwd We have a whole set of scouts and yet we probably go on the PFA website and see who is in the 'poundland window' I know it is three games in and it could be alot worst - Wigan , Fulham etc but I think we should be looking at adding at least a poacher/scorer and a midfielder to put pressure on the current lot Yes , Mick and TC have done a good job with their resources but I would have thought after last year and with Cresswell money we may have found afew hundred thousand for a lower league striker ? Gotta keep our eye on Grabben this Saturday ...

2

MickMillsTash added 12:10 - Aug 20 Lucky last night. Todays football is so much about having quality at full back - where time and space can be offered but Chambers and Mings do have enough quality going forward. Sammon needs games, Midfield needs a shake up. Anderson good. one poor performance does not mean we cannot challenge but to do so I think we need some fresh faces. Think McGoldrick is a long way off match fitness.

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blue_jim added 12:12 - Aug 20 Concentrate on Saturday now. Come on MM and TC, we must get 3 points to overtake Norwich
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jas0999 added 12:13 - Aug 20 Like many, I am relieved to get a point in the end. There has been much criticism on this forum, that unless you are 100% positive all of the time your a moaner. There will be some who are delighted with a point against a team who have won just once at home since last October. However, if we have ambitions to get into the top 6 ... Which I assume is the goal ... We need to be beating Birmingham away. This for me is an okay result. No more no less. The performance was awful and we now seem reliant on a CB to play up front to score goals. The midfield is so weak it's unreal. Anderson at least added some creative play, but otherwise it's negative and unlikely to score. Murphy and Sammon are big lumps, both lacking quality and skill, with average goal scoring records. McGoldrick isn't match fit. I remain convinced that this team is weaker in terms of numbers and quality from last season. We don't look like a top 6 side, whilst we seem to be getting rid of players and bringing in sub standard replacements to date. If we are replacing at all! All this despite the Cresswell money. ME needs to free up funds, to sign much needed quality. Otherwise it's mid table at best.

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Michael11 added 12:38 - Aug 20 Luka I agree with your team but I'd probably start Parr (if fit) ahead of Mings. I like Mings but he's leaving us exposed when he's getting forward and Tabb's not covering him well enough when he does. Gerken, Mings, Tabb and Sammon out for Bialkowski, Parr, Wordsworth and McGoldrick please!
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