Report v Burnley 21/04/01

An heroic display from Ian Bennett salvaged a point for Birmingham City as the Blues inched their way into the play-offs.

But Trevor Francis's side were made to battle all the way by a Burnley side which refuses to give up hope of a top-six finish.

And were it not for a dreadful miss by on-loan striker Gareth Taylor in the last minute, the Clarets may have had another vintage win to savour.

The Manchester City man somehow headed wide from just four yards out with the goal at his mercy.

Kevin Ball also missed from close range in the first half as Burnley continued to create the better chances.

Blues' keeper Bennett twice saved Birmingham with full stretch stops from Paul Weller and Ball as Burnley desperately sought a winner.

But despite a negative approach from the visitors, with Marcelo battling alone up front, home keeper Nik Michopoulos had to make two good stops his own.

A stinging low drive from Jon McCarthy tested his handling while Marcelo produced an acrobatic stop with his header.

The draw sees Birmingham drop to fifth, behind local rivals West Brom, while Burnley's play-off hopes are surely over despite a run of five games without defeat.