BLACKBURN Rovers dropped to second bottom of the Championship despite picking up a point against Birmingham City at Ewood Park.

Danny Graham’s 11th goal of the season on the stroke of half-time earned Rovers a share of the spoils after Lukas Jutkiewicz put the visitors in front with his third minute penalty.

However, a win for Wigan saw them climb above Rovers, but a defeat for Burton leaves Rovers in the dropzone only on goal difference.

Owen Coyle made just one change, with Gordon Greer coming in for Ben Marshall who wasn’t involved in the matchday 18.  That saw Darragh Lenihan move to right-back, as Rovers opted against breaking up the central midfield partnership of Jason Lowe and Hope Akpan.

Within three minutes Rovers conceded a penalty which gave Lukas Jutkiewicz the chance to put the visitors infront.  Jason Steele was hesistant in coming off his line, and in the end could only bring down David Cotterill for what was a certain spot-kick.  The keeper got a hand to the penalty, bubt couldn’t keep it out as he was beaten for power.

Having been at fault for the opening goal, Steele was to rescue Rovers 10 minutes later as they were once again caught wide open.  Cotterill again found himself in oceans of space on the right, but when one-on-one, he opted for power, with Steele denying him with strong hands.

Craig Gardner then fired over from distance, before Jonathan Grounds glanced a header wide from a corner as Birmingham continued to dominate.

An injury to Charlie Mulgrew forced another re-shuffle as Ryan Nyambe came on, but Birmingham continued to look comfortable.

Indeed, Rovers had to wait 28 minutes for their first sight of goal.  It came from a Hope Akpan header from a Liam Feeney cross from the right, with Kuszczak able to parry the ball away, and get to rebound before the midfielder.

Feeney was starting to come in to the game more for Rovers, with his 33rd minute cross seeing Danny Graham head over, while Derrick Williams saw an effort from distance saved by Kuszczak at the second attempt.

It was down their right-hand side that Rovers were enjoying some joy, with Graham getting on the end of another Feeney cross moments before the break, but again couldn’t keep his header down under pressure.

Just as Rovers looked to be going in behind however, they were level thanks to Graham’s 11th of the season, and his ninth in his last 11 outings, as the hosts drew level.  It was a crisp left-foot finish coming at the end of a well worked move, which saw Williams provide the cross.

Birmingham started the second half the stronger, and almost re-took the lead just a minute after the re-start.  David Cotterill found room to cut from the left and unleash a fierce curling effort, which had Steele scrambling, but was just wide of the far post.

They were to go even closer moments later, as Che Adams’ cross-shot just evaded Jutkiewicz, with any touch likely to see have seen him score his second of the day.

A flurry of bookings came in an eventful start to the second half, but Rovers didn’t make the most of a number of good opportunities in the final third, as they waited for their first chance of the half.

There was a miss of the season contender from Jutkiewicz in the 64th minute as he somehow put the ball wide when it looked easier to score from Grounds’ cross, only for the linesman’s flag to save his blushes.

Back came Rovers, with Gallagher getting on the end of a Feeney cross, only for Morrison to turn his goalbound header away with Graham waiting, before Akpan fired over from 25 yards.

There was then a better chance for the Southampton loanee to put Rovers ahead, but he fired over after getting on the end of a Bennett nod-down after more work from Feeney down the right.

That came as Rovers started to get in to the ascendancy, enjoying plenty of territory and playing on the front foot.

Williams saw a shot blocked, while Bennett saw a penalty appeal waved away as Rovers went in search of a second goal.

Birmingham weren’t without a threat however, and looked likely to take the lead when Ryan Shotton headed goalwards from inside the six yard box, only for Steele to tip the ball over with an excellent save as it ended all square.