Birmingham City 1 Barnsley 1: Hill happy with Tykes performance

Chris Burke`s 86th-minute strike clinched a point Birmingham scarcely deserved against an unfortunate Barnsley side.

The winger, a summer signing from Cardiff, picked the perfect moment to bag his first goal for the club, and it could have been even better for the home side as Marlon King saw his late shot rebound off the inside of a post.

But Blues` strong finish masked what was a sloppy performance littered with misplaced passes and a lack of creativity, which only gained much-needed inspiration following the second-half introduction of Nikola Zigic.

Jacob Butterfield`s clinical long-range strike looked to have ended Birmingham`s 100% home record in the npower Championship with defeat.

It was the first league goal Blues have conceded on home soil this term and Danny Drinkwater went close to a second when his effort from distance clipped the crossbar.

Nevertheless, the draw extends the Yorkshire side`s unbeaten sequence to five matches.

“I was really encouraged by the performance at 1-0,” said Barnsley manager Keith Hill. “I didn’t think we were in any danger until the last 10 minutes, when there was an obvious threat.

“I thought we should have been more comfortable when holding the lead. I thought the performance merited more goals. But I am encouraged by the performance coming to Birmingham and competing.

“At times we looked an accomplished Championship side and had more than enough opportunities to have won.

“But before the game everyone had written us off, so I am encouraged by the performance and we keep our belief and confidence.”

For full reports and reaction read the Yorkshire Post on Saturday and Monday and follow the action throughout the games on the Yorkshire Post website.