Young Mowatt to the rescue for Redfearn

Leeds were heading for a narrow defeat following a 37th-minute goal from Birmingham’s front man Wes Thomas but a late surge earned Leeds a valuable point following a 76th-minute strike from teenage prospect Mowatt.

Redfearn, who expects to still be in charge for tomorrow’s trip to Bournemouth, said: “The owner (Massimo Cellino) knows I am capable and our respect is mutual.

“He will make his decision when he needs to make a decision. Hopefully, if I can keep nicking points it will put the club in a better position.”

Redfearn was pleased with his side’s battling second-half performance.

“When I made the changes in the second half I thought we needed a little bit of power and pace,” he said.

“We played some good football, although we lacked a little finish. The really pleasing thing was that we were brave enough to get on the ball for the 90 minutes.

“There were a lot of pleasing performances and there is no doubt that the side is going to get better the longer they play together.

“It was a stirring second half. We never looked like scoring in the first half and our play which turned on fans in the Bolton game was missing. The tempo and pressure didn’t come until the second half.

“The changes helped in the second half and it gave us a different dimension and if we had taken the lead Birmingham could not have had any complaints.

“It is a long process but there are a lot of encouraging signs and to be honest there was only one side tried to play football.

“Birmingham are a dangerous side and very direct. But overall we deserved something from the game. Mowatt’s goal was a great finish.”

Birmingham were well in control in the first half with new on-loan signing Brek Shea from Stoke City making an impressive first appearance. The American created the opening goal from Thomas, who earlier in the morning had taken his wife to hospital after she had gone into labour.

Birmingham City: Randolph, Eardley, Edgar, Hall (Robinson 46), Grounds, Cotterill, Caddis, Davis (Spector 79), Shea (Gray 67), Donaldson, Thomas. Unused substitutes: Duffy, Gleeson, Doyle, Shinnie.

Leeds United: Silvestri, Berardi, Bellusci, Pearce, Warnock, Cook, Bianchi, Mowatt, Sloth (Austin 63), Sharp (Doukara 63), Antenucci. Unused substitutes: Adryan, St Taylor, Wootton, Tonge, Cooper.

Referee: S Duncan (Tyne & Wear).

Man of the match: Alex Mowatt.