Birmingham rode their luck at Burnley to claim a point that many would argue was undeserved.
Dominant Burnley miss out to Cameron Jerome equaliser
Birmingham rode their luck at Burnley to claim a point that many would argue is undeserved.
Burnley dominated much of the Championship proceedings at Turf Moor but had to settle for a draw after Cameron Jerome found a 77th-minute equaliser - and a late penalty claim was turned down.
The Clarets opened the scoring after a quiet opening period when midfielder Chris McCann made a late dash into the Birmingham box and managed to head a Martin Paterson cross past goalkeeper Maik Taylor.
And despite the Blues struggling to trouble Brian Jensen throughout, on the one occasion they did they snatched a point, Jerome slotting home after a quick-thinking counter-attack.
Chances drought
Both sides found chances hard to come by and Burnley frontman Steven Thompson was booked for his challenge on Blues defender Stuart Parnaby with 20 minutes on the clock - perhaps a sign of frustration.
But the home side broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when McCann headed past Birmingham goalkeeper Taylor.
Striker Paterson had already fired one dangerous cross into the box before he dug another out from the by-line which was met by the head of McCann, whose late surge into the box left Taylor with no chance.
Moments later, McCann wasted an easier opportunity than the one he scored, when he rose at the back post with time and space but could only find the side netting with his header.
Just after the break Joey Gudjonsson saw a free-kick from 25 yards deflect off a Birmingham wall and slide just wide of Taylor's right-hand post with the Blues stopper rooted to the spot.
Crossbar
Burnley hit the crossbar in the 56th minute when winger Wade Elliott scampered clear before angling a cross towards McCann at the back post.
But rather than find its way to the midfielder, the ball drifted towards goal and hit the top of the crossbar.
The hosts continued to look for a second and substitute Robbie Blake provided Duff with a good opportunity. But his curling shot fizzed just wide of Taylor's right-hand post.
With the Clarets committing men forward for a corner, Birmingham sprung a rapid counter-attack which resulted in a 77th-minute goal.
The ball was shipped the entire length of the field before two of McLeish's substitutes combined.
James McFadden's shot, saved by Clarets stopper Jensen, fell kindly for Jerome who slotted home the equaliser.
The Clarets had a penalty shout turned down late on with Lee Carsley the accused, but the visitors could have taken more from the game with Martin Taylor wasting a free header in the closing stages.
