Birmingham City - 2 (Burchill 71. Adebola 85.)
Crystal Palace - 1 (Morrison C 66.)

This could probably be the match where we can say we nearly turned things around for the season. On a bright day the sides took the pitch, with Birmingham riding high in the League and Palace still looking to kick start their season with a few better results. Admittedly the first half was somewhat scrappy, but we did manage to take a few positives from the play.

The first 43 minutes of the match saw the honours all but even, though Brum had the better of the chances. Both Andy Johnson and Martin Grainger hit the woodwork, but Palace certainly looked dangerous on the break, with Paul Kitson coming close twice, his first missing from close range and his second going wide of the mark following a shot spectacularly made on the turn.

As we were all thinking about the half time break, and the words that Alan might instill in the side to get them firing, Birmingham made one final foray into the danger area. Unfortunately Simon Rodger was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area, and the ref had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Martin O'Connor stepped up to take the shot, and to the amazement of the Palace faithful Alex Kolinko guessed right, diving to save the ball, and thus denying the home side a lead to take to the break.

Palace looked a little sharper at the start of the second period of play and Clinton Morrison should really have done better with a shot that he played weakly straight to keeper Ian Bennett. We were not to be denied though, and a poor clearance by Gary Charles only went as far as stand in captain Jamie Pollock. A first touch found Clinton lurking as usual in a good position, and this time he made no mistake, burying the ball in the back of the net. Surprisingly we were 1-0 up, but there was still almost 25 minutes to play.

Birmingham had just made two substitutions, taking off strikers Geoff Horsfield and Michael Johnson, bringing on Dele Adebola and Mark Burchill, which was to prove decisive.

Eleven minutes later the equaliser came when Stan Lazaridis put a great cross in which found Grainger. His shot evaded Alex, and though the shot was kept out Burchill was on the line to simply tap the ball home, scoring his first goal for our hosts. That many called for offside, including many of Fleet Street's finest, cannot be denied, but as usual with our luck of late the goal stood. All was level, and there was still sufficient time for either side to win the match.

With five minutes left Grainger again was involved in the play, his cross finding Adebola in the centre of the goalmouth area. He managed to rise above the defence, his bullet like header finding the back of the net and leaving Alex with little chance of saving the day. Two more chances then followed to Clinton and Andy Morrison respectively, but reflex saves from Bennett maintained Birmingham's lead.

A final chance fell to Burchill, and he really should have done better than hit the post from only a few yards out, but then that would have been harsh on a brave Palace side.

Despite getting beaten on the day, if this type of performance is kept up then it will not be long before Palace are winning matches such as this and gradually climbing the table. With our missing players back on deck for the fixture at Craven Cottage we all look forward to the midweek clash.

Colin Pryce

Birmingham City: Ian Bennett, Gary Charles, Martin Grainger, Michael Johnson (Dele Adebola 63), David Holdsworth, Nicky Eaden, Martin O'Connor, Danny Sonner (Stan Lazaridis 36), Geoff Horsfield (Mark Burchill 62), Andrew Johnson, Bryan Hughes.

Substitutes not used: Kevin Poole, Darren Purse.

Crystal Palace: Alex Kolinko, Jamie Smith, Dean Austin, Simon Rodger, Clinton Morrison, Julian Gray, Steve Thomson, Jamie Pollock (Mikael Forssell 87), Craig Harrison, Paul Kitson, Andy Morrison.

Substitutes not used: Wayne Carlisle, Stephen Evans, Andrew Frampton, Richard Howell.

Attendance: 17,191

Referee: Mr M D Messias (York).