Jon Toral loops up a free-kick and David Marshall is unable to deal with it.

On the rebound and ensuing scramble, Matthew Connolly handballs right in front of goal.

Or was it a handball? Replays suggest the ball struck the defender in the face.

Sammy Ameobi the brightest spark in an otherwise dour affair so far.

With a bob and weave he gets into the area, but his shot causes Tomasz Kuszczak no real trouble, but the keeper needed to act there.

Paul Caddis getting plenty of the ball for Birmingham City down in the left corner with a few throw ins in succession. (yep, it is that thrilling!).

Eventually, with the ball at his feet Demarai Gray creates some room for himself to swing the ball in.

Jon Toral, however, can do little with it.

Shane Lowry goes into the book on his Birmingham City debut.

Cardiff's Sammy Ameobi just breezed by the Australian there and the defender pulls him back. Smart choice from the Blues man as the free-kick goes nowhere.

Birmingham with another corner and this time it is dished up right into the danger zone.

Cardiff bodies struggle to deal with it and Jonathan Spector for Birmingham goes down as he strains to get a touch.

Cardiff's Antony Pilkington tries his luck from distance, allowing the ball roll ahead of him as he lashes his shot from the top of the box with his first touch.

It takes a slight deflection and a corner is given, but the visitors fail to generate anything from it.

Top of this year's Christmas list for Birmingham City fans has got to be goals at St Andrew's.

In recent weeks they have been few and far between...

But, Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett has backed goal-shy striker Demarai Gray to find some scoring form.

The 19-year-old wide player has only scored once in 23 appearances for Blues this season - in October's 2-0 win at Leeds.

We have almost had 30 minutes at St Andrew's tonight and no change on that front

It's nice to see some festive cheer in the stands, because there hasn't been that much to cheer about on the pitch so far!

Neal Eardley is complaining about what seems to be groin trouble.

As he goes down, the bench is quick to react and Paul Caddis comes on as a replacement.

Both sides forced into changes now before half time.

Kenwyne Jones gets his header on target from close range. No real power as he gets some shoulder on that and Tomasz Kuszczak smothers it.

Still, ominous that from Cardiff forward Jones, popping up in between defenders to win the ball with some ease.

Cardiff City looking most dangerous in these early minutes. Their movement down the flanks in particular has caused Birmingham trouble.

That final ball, however, is failing to find the mark. And with Tony Watt and Kenwyne Jones up front they have two handy targets lurking. 

You get the feeling it is just a matter of time.

In Essex, Southend are still enjoying the better of the game.

Noel Hunt heads Jack Payne's cross narrowly over, before David Worrall goes close with a shot which flies inches wide.

Approaching the 20-minute mark at Roots Hall.

Bruno Manga is keeping busy since coming on as an early substitute.

He gets back and clears for a Birmingham City corner.

The ball is swung deep from right, but again the hosts offer little real threat.

Cardiff City will be feeling pretty good about themselves at St Andrew's tonight, for as erratic as their recent form has been they are on a good run against Birmingham City.

Since their last defeat more than seven years ago, Cardiff have won four and drawn three of their meetings.

On early evidence here, they have every right to feel good about keeping that unbeaten run going.

What a chance for Bruno Manga with what would have been his first touch.

He times his run into the box brilliantly to meet a free-kick from Antony Pilkington.

But his attempt to throw his head at the ball just doesn't seem desperate enough and a good opening from a few yards out goes begging.

There the change is, Bruno Manga enters the action for Cardiff City after just nine minutes as Sean Morrison is helped off with a heavy limp.