MOWATT RESCUES A POINT AT BIRMINGHAM

MOWATT RESCUES A POINT AT BIRMINGHAM

Scores end level in Birmingham...

BIRMINGHAM 1 (Thomas 37), UNITED 1 (Mowatt 76).

Birmingham: Randolph, Eardley, Grounds, Edgar, Donaldson, Thomas, Cotterill, Shea (Gray 67), Hall (Robinson 46), Davis (Spector 79), Caddis. Subs. Doyle, Duffy, Gleeson, Shinnie.

United: Silvestri, Berardi, Pearce, Bellusci, Warnock, Cook, Mowatt, Bianchi, Sloth (Austin 63), Sharp (Doukara 63), Antenucci. Subs. S Taylor, Wootton, Cooper, Tonge, Adryan.

Referee: S Duncan.

Booked: Thomas, Gray (Birmingham).

Att: 15,266 (Leeds 2,654)

United's caretaker head coach made one change to his side from the team that defeated Bolton prior to the international break. The only change saw Gaetano Berardi replace Scott Wootton in the United defence but there was also a place on the bench for new signing Adryan and the fit-again Souleymane Doukara.

United started the game well and were playing some nice passing football in front of a subdued Birmingham home crowd.

There was very little for both sets of supporters to cheer about during the opening 30 minutes of the game but it was the home side that looked more threatening in front of goal. Marco Silvestri had a couple of comfortable saves to make and United's defence were also making some important blocks to keep Birmingham at bay.

On the half-hour mark Clayton Donaldson did well on the edge of United's box when he controlled the ball, turned and shot for goal. Silvestri was positioned well for the strike and had the effort that flew over the crossbar covered.

But on 37 minutes Donaldson's strike partner Wesley Thomas put the home side ahead. The striker who was found with a throughball in space inside United's box and he turned and finished well past the diving Silvestri.

Following the goal United's net collapsed which meant a stoppage in play and nine minutes were added to the half. United finished the half well but other than a stray defensive header from Birmingham the away side struggled to threaten.

The home side started the second half well and had two early chances to extend their lead. Firstly Brek Shea had a header that went close, then moments later Donaldson powered towards United's goal but his shot went into the side netting.

On the hour mark United can into the game more and looked dangerous going forward. Micro Antenucci was getting involved in the play and looked to make things happen for United in the final third. United's first shot on target of the game came from Alex Mowatt when he picked up the ball on the egde of the box, but his strike was saved well by Darren Randolph.

Neil Redfearn made a double change on 63 minutes bu introducing Doukara and Rudy Austin. Doukara was involved instantly as he was the main figure in United's next attack, the striker shot from 25-yards with the ball just going wide of Randolph's right-hand post.

United were rewarded for their hard work and persistance going forward in the 76th minute when Alex Mowatt equalised. The home defence failed to clear a Berardi cross and the young United midfielder showed a cool head and finished superbly to level the contest.

United looked the more likely following the equaliser and Mowatt went close again with a header from an impossible angle, the only thing missing was a United attacker on the line who could have smashed the ball home.

The game had a lively finish and both sides could have taken all three points with chances in the final minutes. Demarai Gray had a chance for the home side and was only stopped by a fantastic save from Silvestri. In the dying seconds Austin had an opportunity for United but his last minute was saved by the Birmingham keeper.

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