Birmingham City 3-3 Burnley

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Federico MachedaImage source, Empics

Birmingham substitute Federico Macheda scored twice as they came from behind three times to draw with second-placed Burnley.

Dean Marney headed the opener for the Clarets before Macheda levelled four minutes after his introduction on the hour-mark.

Michael Duff's header restored Burnley's lead but Emyr Huws equalised from 25 yards soon after.

Sam Vokes put the visitors ahead again before Macheda's last-minute goal.

Burnley were furious at the manner of the equaliser, claiming Manchester United loanee Macheda had handled and that there had been a foul in the build-up.

However the draw increases Burnley's unbeaten run to 13 league matches and moves them eight points clear in the second automatic promotion spot in the Championship.

Birmingham, now on a four-match winless run, moved eight points clear of the drop zone.

Burnley opened the scoring after 30 minutes as their relentless pressure finally paid off, with Marney heading home from close range after Ross Wallace's cross.

Macheda levelled with a low shot under the body of goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

Three minutes later Duff headed in Kieran Trippier's angled free-kick but the lead lasted just two minutes as Huws, on loan from Manchester City, levelled with a long-range strike.

Vokes thought he had won the match for Burnley, converting a cross from Junior Stanislas in the 86th minute, only for Macheda to chest in the leveller from Tyler Blackett's cross.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche:

"It was a fantastic point. We came off a massive win against Blackburn.

"People must have wondered if we could go again against Birmingham. Do they have that resilience? Do they have that belief? I thought it was there for all to see as we took the lead three times.

"The fitness of the players was superb. The will and demand was there.

"We didn't play as well as we can but we came away with a valuable point and that is a great sign of how we have played this season."

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