Premier League: Blackburn 1 Birmingham 1

Blackburn and Birmingham shared the points 1-1 at Ewood Park in a result that helped neither side’s relegation predicaments.

The two sides went into the game level on 34 points, and just two above relegation-placed West Ham and Wolves.

The home side began the brighter and Jermaine Jones had an excellent chance on goal but slipped at the vital moment, before Chris Samba also headed wide.

Rovers were the more comfortable of the two sides in the first half as the Blues struggled in possession, so it came as a surprise when the visitors scored with their first meaningful attack in the 32nd minute.

Sebastian Larsson found Cameron Jerome in the box, and the striker chipped over Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson and Lee Bowyer headed in the easiest of openers from just a yard out.

Birmingham were unlucky not to have doubled their lead when Larsson’s free kick struck the post minutes before the break, but were then guilty of complacency as they gifted the hosts an equaliser.

In stoppage time at the end of the half, Junior Hoilett caught Liam Ridgewell off guard and stole the ball off him before rounding goalkeeper Ben Foster and firing home.

In the second half, another Larsson free kick forced a great save out of Robinson, and at the other end, Roque Santa Cruz’s header struck the crossbar.

Morten Gamst Pedersen also tested Foster on two occasions with an in-swinging free kick, and from the corner post.

Despite finishing the better side, Blackburn could not find a second goal and the draw leaves both clubs poised perilously three points above the relegation zone.