Birmingham 1-1 Millwall: Jay Stansfield goal keeps Blues unbeaten

Millwall goalkeeper Matija Sarkic (right) saved Scott Hogan's penalty in first-half injury time

Jay Stansfield's second-half equaliser maintained Birmingham City's unbeaten start in the Championship as they shared the points with Millwall.

Fulham loanee Stansfield scored his second goal in two Blues league games eight minutes after the break.

That cancelled out Kevin Nisbet's early free-kick as the Scotland striker grabbed his second Lions goal.

Blues had missed a penalty in first-half injury time when Scott Hogan's effort was saved by Matija Sarkic.

The hosts were denied a fourth straight Championship win for the first time since October 2018, but John Eustace's American-backed side now lie fourth with an impressive 11 points from five games.

They had included deadline day arrival Cody Drameh following his loan switch from Leeds, but they were behind within six minutes at St Andrew's.

When Tom Bradshaw was fouled outside the area, Nisbet stepped up from 20 yards to make it goals in successive games following his summer switch from Hibernian.

The visitors thought they had doubled their lead when Ryan Leonard hit a dipping volley past keeper John Ruddy, although it clipped Jake Cooper on its way into the net, who was in an offside position.

They lost captain Shaun Hutchinson to injury and then survived a big let-off at the end of the half when Sarkic brought down Keshi Anderson, but the Montenegro goalkeeper made amends by diving to his right to push away Hogan's spot kick.

But early in the second half, Blues found an equaliser as Juninho Bacuna slipped in Stansfield inside the area and, just seven days on from his matchwinner against Plymouth, he drilled into the far corner.

The 20-year-old then almost put his team in front, but Sarkic did well to keep out his powerful effort.

George Saville was thwarted by Ruddy late in the action, but the game ended in a draw for the fifth straight season at St Andrew's, leaving former Blues boss Gary Rowett's side with seven points from five games.

Birmingham City head coach John Eustace told BBC Radio WM:

"It's great credit to the group. They've been outstanding since we came in. A lot of players have come in and we are a work in progress.

"This was the first time we've been behind, so we showed great character to come back.

"We were the better team on the day and I'm disappointed not to get all three points."

Millwall manager Gary Rowett told BBC Radio London:

"A draw was fair. We dominated the first half, which as an away team I was really pleased about.

"They were better than us second half but I was disappointed with the goal we gave away.

"We were unlucky not to go 2-0 up with the offside goal. That gives you a little buffer. Second half, we started to allow Birmingham to come on to us, so overall I'm satisfied with a point."