Trevor Francis was probably the more relieved of the two managers as Town and his men shared the points at St Andrew's. A Tony Mowbray own goal was cancelled out by a David Johnson strike on the stroke of half-time in a Sunday lunchtime clash which was never the most enthralling of games.
Town had Marcus Stewart and Wayne Brown back in the side and returned to 5-3-2. After a slow start Town were looking their usual dominant selves until a poor Michael Clegg clearance saw Simon Charlton whip in a cross and Tony Mowbray headed past Richard Wright. It was an unfortunate, if perfectly executed, own goal with Mogga's intention to put the ball past the post clear.
Town recovered from this setback quickly and Jamie Clapham came close to scoring his second goal in successive weeks with a shot from twenty yards that cannoned off the post. The ball rebounded back and past David Johnson.
The newly baby-dreaded Johnson did get on target in first half injury time. A cross from the right was headed on by Marcus Stewart and the Town top scorer volleyed into the net off keeper Bennett. It was good to see Johnson back on the scoresheet again and perhaps very important in the context of the season.
The second half once again saw Town play the better football with Birmingham showing less of the strong arm tactics that were on display at Portman Road earlier in the season. A controversial ruling that Richard Wright had picked up a backpass saw an indirect freekick inside the area for the Brummies, but Richard Wright and then David Johnson saw off the threat.
The second half's most controversial moment came when Marcus Stewart was pulled to the ground when chasing into the penalty area. Replays showed that it was a clear penalty and Town fans had a right to be unhappy at the decision.
A draw at Birmingham then, and a result which Town would perhaps have been happy with prior to kick-off. A ggod performance from Town, not up there with the display at Barnsley, but still an outplaying of promotion rivals. Two home games next and hopefully a chance to increase the lead over Manchester City and consolidate second place. With City drawing with Walsall could we be seeing their much predicted bad spell...
R Wright 6 Dodgy footwork a couple of times
Clegg 6 At fault on first goal
McGreal 8 Solid as a rock
Mowbray 7 Unfortunate own goal
Brown 7 Did well on recall
Clapham 7 Unlucky with shot
Holland 7 Got himself about
Magilton 9 Ran the show as usual
Scowcroft 8 Another good performance
Johnson 8 A goal at last!
Stewart 7 Quiet but made important touch on goal
Town centre-half John McGreal struggled through the last half and hour of Sunday's game with damaged knee ligaments. The former Tranmere man is a doubt for next Saturday's game with Portsmouth. Manu THetis is likely to make a return to the first team if McGreal is out.