Blues 1 Leeds United 2.

So, the money spinning fourth round tie against Tottenham wasn’t to be as Blues crashed out the FA Cup against Leeds United. Its a trophy that Blues have never won despite reaching the final twice, and this year is no different.

Positives- the first half performance was good. We can now concentrate on the league. We haven’t won back-to-back games all season, so is this a sign we’ll beat Brighton on Saturday?

Negatives- second half performance was desperate. Yet another game without a clean sheet. We won’t get to play Spurs.

It was no surprise when Marlon King was named up front, but in truth, he never looked fit. He didn’t play badly, but he was a yard or so off the pace. If he was off the pace, then Peter Lovenkrands was never on it, he was awful when he came on. Funny to think he could have drew Blues level late on, but his volley was superbly saved by Jamie Ashdown.

In the first half, Blues moved the ball well and Chris Burke kept Leeds’ full-back on his toes. Why does Burkey have to hit form during the January transfer window? He was quality at Huddersfield on Saturday and he was lively tonight too.

The sparsely populated St. Andrews must have been enjoying an opening half in which Lee Clark’s men took the game to their visitors. Wade Elliott, who was as determined as ever, was the pinnacle of most positive things Blues did. He scored the goal that put the hosts a goal to the good.

Nathan Redmond came close on two occasions and King whistled an effort past the far post. Blues deserved their lead at the interval.

The second half was the opposite. Neil Warnock’s men were much improved, and the annoyance that is El-Hadji Diuof was a handful. Leeds were in the ascendancy and Colin Doyle was forced into a couple of saves. The first one was a shot from outside the area which he palmed away, and the second he parried before Steven Caldwell eventually cleared.

With 20 minutes remaining, Blues were still in possession of their clean sheet. It was too good to be true…Diouf passed Sam Byram’s ball back to Ross McCormack who coolly slots home the equaliser. Then just six minutes later, Paul Robinson was penalised for hand ball and the referee, after much hesitation and consultation with his linesman, pointed to the spot. Diouf showed arrogant class by chipping the ball past the diving Doyle.

Late on, Nikola Zigic saw his header cleared off the line and Lovenkrands’ volley from close range was brilliantly saved by Ashdown.

Blues ratings- Doyle 6. Caddis 6. Caldwell 6. Davies 6. Robinson 6. Burke 7. Gomis 6. Morrison 6. *ELLIOTT 7. Redmond 6. King 6… SUBS USED- Lovenkrands 4. Zigic 5.

Match report by Rob Wildey.