Birmingham City 1-1 Millwall 

Written By: The Bluenose Bible

An eventful match for Chris Taylor and the Match Officials outshone what was a fiery encounter between two sides, Birmingham City and Millwall, still looking over their shoulder as the season reaches the home straight.

After some early chance from the hosts through a Nathan Redmond free kick and Ravel Morrison, the first dubious incident occurred when Chris Taylor appeared to be brought down by Paul Caddis just outside the Blues’ box. The winger returning from injury was subsequently booked for diving, but his first half was about to get worse.

Minutes later, a cross from the right was met by Taylor and just as the ball was about to trickle into the corner, Richard Chaplow poked home from close range. With the pair running off to celebrate, the linesmen David Avent raised his flag and after a lot of deliberation the goal was ruled out for offside against Chaplow.

There was still enough time in the opening half for Wes Thomas to force a magnificent reflex save from the Ireland international goalkeeper David Forde.

Morrison forced another good save out of Forde before Thomas opened the scoring five minutes after half time.

The Bournemouth loanee had his back to goal and with a great turn found enough space to drive the ball home from eight yards out.

With Jonathon Spector’s injury at half time, Birmingham found it difficult to control the game from their winning position with influential first half players struggling to perform in the second.

Following some pressure with twenty minutes to go from Millwall, The Lions found an equaliser when a Rob Hulse cross found an unmarked Taylor at the back post.

Birmingham manager Lee Clark: “The players are doing really great and we are proud of them but we have got to be more ruthless and more professional.

“At times you could see we were young and naive. Their power and physicality brushed us aside at times.”

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett: “It is in our own hands. We have games in hand. With five of the seven at home we have to take full advantage of this situation although I know our home form has not been great this season.

“Since the [FA Cup] quarter-finals we have played four games. Three have been away and we have won two and drawn two.

“It has been a good response from the players.”

 Man of the match: Liam Trotter