BIRMINGHAM 2

(Adams, 16, 85)

ROVERS 2

(Mulgrew, 52) (Graham, 83)

Rovers stopped their run of defeats with a point on the road at Birmingham City – but passed up an excellent chance to claim all three.

A poor first half performance was followed by an improved display after the break which saw Charlie Mulgrew score direct from a corner for the third time this season.

Danny Graham looked like he could have snatched the win for his side when his deflected shot found a way beyond Lee Camp. But within two minutes, Rovers weren’t out by the lively Che Adams who squeezed a shot beyond David Raya from a tight angle as the hosts battled back for a point.

Adams had opened the scoring for his side in the 16th minute, at which point Rovers were in danger of subsiding.  

The Rovers side showed four changes, as all three of the half time substitutes against Middlesbrough started. Ryan Nyambe and Amari’i Bell came in to the full back positions, while Lewis Travis took up his spot in central midfield where he was joined by Richie Smallwood.

The hosts were much quicker out of the blocks however, and unlucky not to lead inside eight minutes. The hosts were taking every opportunity to swing the ball in to the box, and from a Jota inswinging free kick, Adams got across his man, with his flicked header palmed away by Raya.

The ‘keeper was in the thick of the action shortly after, first to keep out Maxime Colin’s long-range drive and then to get to his feet to clear the loose ball before Lukas Jutkiewicz had the chance to turn home.

Adams threatened again moments later, as his shot was deflected wide from Colin’s cut-back before the striker did find a way beyond Raya in the 16th minute. Gary Gardner nicked the ball off Amari’i Bell before driving at Mulgrew, with his shot across Raya nestling in the far corner.

That had been coming, and Rovers were fortunate not to fall further behind when an almost identical effort from Adams was this time too close to Raya.

Rovers could hardly get any worse, and did mount some sort of a response in the final 15 minutes of the half, seeing more of the ball, with Bradley Dack starting to become more influential.

A Mulgrew set play almost offered them a way back in to things, as his delivery found both Smallwood and Jack Rodwell unmarked, but neither could apply the necessary finish.

Within 60 seconds Dack found Danny Graham with an inch-perfect defence splitting pass, but his toe-poked finish lacked any real power, with Lee Camp able to save diving away to his left.

The possession stats were coming more in Rovers’ favour, but Birmingham seemed happy with their lead which they took in to the break after Rodwell was unable to keep his header from Harrison Reed’s corner on target.

Rovers emerged from the dressing room unchanged, but with more vigour to their play.

They were rewarded for their efforts with an equalising goal seven minutes after the re-start. For the third time this season Mulgrew, booked moments before, curled in a right wing delivery which beat everyone to nestle in the far corner.

Suddenly the game became more open, with gaps opening up for both sides, as Jota saw an effort deflected over by the retreating Smallwood after an excellent backheel from Adams.

At the other end, Graham and Dack linked up well, as the striker’s knockdown fell to his partner, with Michael Morrison throwing himself at the shot to keep it out.

Rovers were being much more effective in their work, but only remained level thanks to an excellent save from David Raya, with his feet, to keep out an effort from substitute Kerim Mrabti who found room on the left.

Both sides made changes, with Adam Armstrong introduced, while ex-Rover Connor Mahoney was sent on for the final 20 minutes by the hosts.

He went close with 10 minutes to play, putting his boot to a bouncing ball, with his effort landing just over the top.

Graham then put Rovers ahead seven minutes from time, as after his initial header wasn’t cleared, a deflected left foot shot found its way beyond Lee Camp.

But no sooner had play resumed than Adams scored his second of the game to equalise. After timing his run to beat the Rovers backline, without support, he took aim from a tight angle and squeezed the ball beyond Raya via the far post.

Buoyed by the equaliser, the hosts sensed a winner, as Gary Gardner’s free kick was tipped over by Raya.

But there was a head in hands moment for Rovers before the end, as after Armstrong showed electric pace, he squared the ball across the six yard box, with the sliding Dack unable to turn home.

It meant Rovers had to settle for a point as they ended a dismal February with a point.

Birmingham City: Camp, Morrison, Colin, Maghoma (Mrabti, 57), Adams, G Gardner, Dean, Jota (Mahoney, 70), Jutkiewicz (Vassell, 76), Pedersen, Kieftenbeld

Subs: Trueman, Davis, C Gardner, Harding


Rovers: Raya, Nyambe, Rodwell, Mulgrew, Bell, Smallwood, Travis, Bennett, Dack, Reed (Armstrong, 66), Graham

Subs: Leutwiler, Evans, Conway, Rothwell, Brereton, Nuttall