Ivan Sunjic has his head in his hands!

Birmingham striker Scott Hogan runs the channel expertly, giving Semi Ajayi the slip and pulling the ball back for Sunjic, whose shot clips the top of the bar and goes over.

The visitors have had nearly all the best chances.

West Brom make that enforced change - Jayson Molumby replacing Alex Mowatt in midfield.

Mowatt is one of those players who can score from nothing. We could've done with him staying on in a game like this!

Kerron Cross: Little known towel fact for #bbcefl. Sheffield Wednesday’s nickname is T’Owls

We really need a goal at The Hawthorns...

Oh dear.

West Brom midfielder Alex Mowatt sticks out a leg to tackle Scott Hogan but injures himself in the process.

Jayson Molumby is being readied and it doesn't look like Mowatt can continue. A real shame.

Sublime play from Birmingham sub Jeremie Bela almost gets them an opener!

He dribbles past his man and his tantalising cross is just out of reach for Scott Hogan, who is stretching and can only poke the ball off-target.

A very good chance for the visitors.

Image source, Rex Features

The hosts look slightly more in control since the interval, looking after the ball a bit better and penning Birmingham in at times.

But the Blues look dangerous on the counter - Tahith Chong flagged offside as he looked to latch on to a Jeremie Bela through ball.

West Brom's Conor Townsend brings the ball down on the edge of the box but skews his right-footed shot wide.

If only his team-mates could show the same impetus he has here tonight.

Ian Dunn: Birmingham City fans never throw the towel in.

Any other towel-related quips... send them my way! We need something to keep us entertained!

Seconds into the second half, Birmingham wing-back Maxime Colin goes down and his night is over.

Jeremie Bela comes on in his place.

We're back under way.

West Brom have made a half-time change, with Jordan Huguill on for Callum Robinson in attack.

Ged Scott
BBC Sport at The Hawthorns

Not much to commend about that first 45 minutes at The Hawthorns then. A real derby grueller!

Two long-range shots, one of which brought a fine fingertip save out of Blues keeper Matija Sarkic, another just over from Karlan Grant - and the only other highlight was the spongeman coming on to attend to Sarkic after he fell heavily on his left shoulder.

It really can only get better.

Image source, Getty Images

Bournemouth head coach Scott Parker has no doubts midfielder David Brooks will "come out fighting" following his cancer diagnosis.

Wales international Brooks, 24, confirmed on Wednesday he will begin treatment for Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma next week.

"He's a liked and loved member of the squad," Parker told BBC Radio Solent.

"The players will do everything they can to make sure he and his family will be supported throughout this."

Former Sheffield United player Brooks has scored three goals in nine appearances for the Cherries this season and was on international duty when the illness was first detected by the Wales medical team.

You fans seem to enjoy talking about towels. Two of my colleagues messaged me privately to discuss my towel post 20 minutes in (one agreed with me, one didn't).

So where do you stand on the use of towels for long throws? Part of the game or a nuisance?

Use #bbcefl on social media to have your say.

Image source, Rex Features

Four minutes into the second half of this League One encounter and Burton have another goal.

It's a fantastic strike from Tom O'Connor, a curler from 25 yards, and that could well be all three points heading to the hosts.

Image source, Rex Features

Flat and disjointed.

West Brom would go top with victory tonight but they've looked off the pace in this West Midlands derby.

Birmingham have relied on set-pieces but came closest to a goal when Lukas Jutkiewicz headed just wide from a long throw.

Matija Sarkic does some stretches and is OK to continue.

We're into a minimum of four minutes of stoppage time at the end of this first half.

Postpublished at 45 mins

45 mins

West Brom 0-0 Birmingham

At the other end, Birmingham goalie Matija Sarkic claims an Alex Mowatt free-kick but lands heavily on his shoulder.

On come the physios.

Marc Roberts launches a long throw in for Birmingham and Lukas Jutkiewicz nods it agonisingly wide of the far post.

It was a tricky header but West Brom keeper Sam Johnstone was scrambling a tad.

'Is this a library?' ask the visiting Birmingham supporters.

The West Brom faithful haven't had much to sing about so far.

Robert Snodgrass and Jordan Hugill are among their substitutes.

Karlan Grant tries one from range but it's always rising...

That was a better spell of possession from West Brom, though.