The Bluenose Bible: Match Report Brighton home

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Kuszczak’s howler gifts Blues a valuable point at St. Andrews

A goalkeeping nightmare by Brighton keeper Tomas Kuszczak was enough to earn Lee Clark’s men a stoppage time point, which leaves the side still without a win at home since November.

After some early pressure from both sides, Birmingham opened the scoring in the 18th minutes thanks to Steven Caldwell. A near post corner by Rob Hall was headed home by the stand in skipper into the bottom corner for his first league goal for the club; leaving Gus Poyet wishing that he had a player marking the back post.

Lee Clark’s side could only hang on for six minutes however as a fine dribble and low cross from the left hand touchline by Andrea Orlandi found Barnes in plenty of space on the edge of box who calmly placed his shot into the bottom left corner, giving Jack Butland no chance in the Blues’ goal.
It got worse for the hosts just before the break as a great team move by the seagulls was completed by a superb volley by David Lopez. Wayne Bridge's cross to the far post was volleyed home by the winger in spectacular fashion, with great technique and composure.

Two tactical substitutions by Lee Clark then completely changed the game for Birmingham as Nikola Zigic and Marlon King came on to replace Nathan Redmond and Wade Elliott to give them a bigger threat going forward, which proved to be the case.
With just minutes remaining in injury time the two substitutes made the impact required as King crossed for Zigic for the super sub to head home over Kuszczak to rescue a point for Blues for the third time this season.

Man of the match: Nikola Zigic (not just for his goal but the atmosphere around the ground completely changed when he came on)