Frustration strikes for Blues boss

Garry Monk could hardly believe his own eyes as Birmingham were surprisingly held to a 1-1 home draw by fellow relegation battlers Burton.

The Birmingham manager, who had previously witnessed three successive wins in the Blues’ survival fight, was also bemused by the referee’s decision to deny them a fifthminute goal.

“It was hugely frustrating as it was clearly the wrong decision.” claimed Monk.

“A perfectly good goal was disallowed. Had we been given that goal , it would have been an entirely different result.

“We are well aware of the chances we created we should have done better. We have to give credit to their goalkeeper (Stephen Bywater), even if he didn’t know much about the saves. In the end, it was a good point to go from a losing position.”

Birmingham were saved from defeat by an 87th minute equaliser from striker Lukas Jutkiewicz, leaving them three points above the drop zone and eight ahead of second-bottom Sunderland.

Burton had been on course for a shock win when Lloyd Dyer put them ahead two minutes into the second half after the bottom side had been subjected to almost non-stop attacking play by Blues.

On City’s survival hopes, Monk said: “It is still against us and all the remaining games will be tough. Hopefully we can maintain the mini run we are on at the moment.

“Perhaps the point taken in the Burton game will be vital come the end of the season. We are confident. We are fighting hard and that will see us through.”

Burton manager Nigel Clough admitted: “In the course of the game, Birmingham deserved a goal. They hit the post, had one disallowed and created a lot of problems for us.

“When you get so close we were unable to see the game through to the end.

“We were under siege but we battled hard and could have won. We have to keep battling away and will know what is going to happen next week after two more games.”