Birmingham City 0-0 Bristol City: Blues and Robins play out goalless draw

Emanuel Aiwu heads the ball in front of goalImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Birmingham and Bristol City saw only one shot on target between them during their goalless draw

Birmingham City and Bristol City played out an uninspiring 0-0 draw as a section of Blues fans made their dissatisfaction at recent results clear at full-time with boos ringing round St Andrew's.

Wayne Rooney's side are now winless in their last four games and have picked up only nine points in 14 matches under the former England striker.

The in-form Robins had the best two chances of a game with limited action in front of goal as Anis Mehmeti sent two first-half headers wide.

Ivan Sunjic almost snatched the winner late on but dragged his shot wide in a game that saw only one effort from both sides hit the target.

The result sees Birmingham drop a place to 20th and Bristol City remain eighth in the table.

The Robins might have been in scoring form coming into the game, with seven goals in their last two matches, but despite enjoying the better of possession and more shots on goal, they lacked a clinical edge throughout.

Mehmeti, who scored in the 3-2 win over Hull last week, had what proved to be the best two chances during a 10-minute spell early in the first half.

A shot from Nahki Wells was diverted into Mehmeti's path but despite being well positioned right in front of goal, his header somehow missed the target, while his second header from six yards out glanced over the bar from a Mark Sykes cross.

Birmingham's only chance during the first 45 minutes was a shot from Emmanuel Longelo that was easily saved by Max O'Leary on his 100th appearance in Bristol City's goal.

Both managers rang the changes in search of a breakthrough and the game briefly opened up, with Juninho Bacuna at least giving home fans something to shout about although his shot from distance drifted wide.

Andi Wiemann saw a shot skim past the post while Jason Knight and Sam Bell both had chances blocked by a stubborn Birmingham defence and Sunjic unleashed a shot from distance in the 90th minute, but it flew wide to preserve the stalemate.

Birmingham City manager Wayne Rooney told BBC Radio WM:

"It wasn't a classic game by any means but I think the most important thing for us was after our last few games when we've conceded quite a few goals, the focus today was on a clean sheet and we managed to do that with a lot of injuries to our defence.

"Cody Drameh comes in, he's had one training session and plays 90 minutes, so really pleased for him.

"Bristol are a good team, they've won their last three games and come off the back of beating Watford away, so they're a team really full of confidence and we managed to nullify their chances.

"We didn't really create much but we had to really put a focus today on keeping a clean sheet and we managed to do that so I'm pleased for them."

Bristol City manager Liam Manning told BBC Radio Bristol:

"I think picking up a clean sheet and getting a point away from home is never a bad thing and extends the unbeaten run. The frustration comes from we looked like the only team to win it for me.

"I thought we made two terrific headers first half and got in a couple of decent areas second half - not enough. I thought it was one of those with a lot between the boxes and probably not enough in their box, but again I think it's difficult how they're set up and where they're at.

"It was tough to create lots of opportunities tonight. When I look at it, the frustration comes from the fact we probably got in good enough areas to score."

Sorry, we can't display this part of the article any more.

Related internet links

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.