Town still wait for their first win of the season after two second-half Lukas Jutkiewicz goals denied them victory over Birmingham at St Andrew’s having been two goals in front via Jon Nolan and Matthew Pennington at half-time, the game ending 2-2. Nolan netted on 26 and Pennington - who was sent off for a second yellow card late on - doubled the lead in the 41st minute as the Blues looked set to claim three points under Paul Hurst for the first time but Jutkiewicz struck on 48 and 68 to dash their hopes.

Town, wearing their all orange second strip, fielded an unchanged XI for the first time this season, while Ellis Harrison dropped out of the 18 due to injury and Andre Dozzell was on the bench for the first time since the opening day game against Blackburn.

The Blues, watched by former assistant manager Terry Connor and England U21s coach Aidy Boothroyd from the directors’ box, found themselves under pressure from the off and the home side went close to going in front in the fourth minute.

Following a Jota corner, Gerken first saved from Lukas Jutkiewicz, then reacted quickly to crowd out Che Adams’s follow-up.

The ball subsequently fell to Gary Gardner on the edge of the area from where he curled a shot past Gerken’s right hand but off the outside of the post.

After a frantic first few minutes Town gradually began to get on the ball and on 10 Grant Ward struck their first shot, albeit a weak effort from distance which gave Lee Camp in the Birmingham goal little trouble.

On 15 Nolan stabbed the ball into the path of Jonas Knudsen on the left and the Danish international crossed deep to Gwion Edwards, who shot over from a very tight angle wide of the back post.

Birmingham continued to have most of the ball, although without a creating another chance, but on 26 the Blues went in front.

Pennington played a ball down the right for Kayden Jackson to chase and the former Accrington man cut in and laid a pass back to Nolan, who smashed his first Town goal into the top corner from just inside the box.

Town began to look more confident on the ball having gone ahead before a stop-start period in the game due to head injuries. Following one of those stoppages in the 35th minute, a Harlee Dean freekick from deep was nodded wide by Jutkiewicz.

Birmingham thought they’d equalised in the 39th minute when Haverhill-born Michael Morrison nodded a looping header back and over Gerken from Jota’s left-wing cross but somehow Knudsen managed to hook it off the line.

And two minutes later, the Blues doubled their lead. Chalobah won a corner on the left and Ward whipped over a low ball which the unmarked Pennington turned home from six yards to claim his first goal for Town.

Birmingham were unable to seriously threaten again in the remaining minutes and the half-time whistle drew boos from a home crowd still to see their team win this season.

Conversely the Town players left the field to applause from their fans having ended a half with a two-goal advantage for the first time under manager Hurst.

Having been fortunate not to go behind in the early stages, particularly when Gardner hit the post, the Blues gradually got themselves more into the game, although the Midlanders had continued to look the more dangerous team prior to Nolan’s opening goal.

Birmingham would have been on terms - probably deservedly - but for Knudsen’s brilliant off-the-line clearance, but in the game’s next passage of play Pennington made the most of some lax Birmingham set-piece defending to make it 2-0.

The home side swapped Gardner for Maikel Kieftenbeld ahead of the second half and two minutes after the restart the Blues went close to a third.

After Pennington had been fouled five yards outside the area, Nolan curled a freekick just wide of Camp’s left post.

But a minute later the home side pulled a goal back. Jutkiewicz was played in on goal by Jota and slipped the ball to the right of the advancing Gerken.

The goal livened up the previously sullen home crowd as their side took the game to Town looking for an equaliser.

On 52 Pennington was booked for a cynical foul on Jacques Maghoma after Nsiala had been caught in possession inside his own half.

Five minutes later, Town went close. Chalobah was found by Pennington as he broke forward and crossed to Ward. The former Spurs chested the ball down past his man but his shot wasn’t powerful enough to test Camp.

Despite the blow of conceding the early goal, the Blues were starting to look the more threatening side and on 62 Edwards did well to get past Kristian Pedersen on the right but sent his low cross behind Nolan and a number of other team-mates.

But almost immediately Birmingham, who replaced Charlie Lakin for Connor Mahoney in the 65th minute, twice went close.

First Gerken did well to get a strong arm to palm Adams’s shot from the edge of the box wide, then from the corner Jutkiewicz’s looping header bounced off the top of the bar and over.

However, the home side didn’t have to wait too much longer for an equaliser. Gerken’s punch from a 68th minute freekick on the right flew straight up in the air, Dean’s header was blocked on the line, Chalobah stopped a subsequent effort with his chest but Jutkiewicz eventually found a gap and smashed in the leveller.

Town found themselves under heavy pressure following the second Birmingham goal, Mahoney seeing a shot from a tight angle on the right deflected behind. On 73 Jota curled a shot over.

The Blues swapped Ward for Freddie Sears in the 81st minute, the former West Ham man taking up a role behind Jackson with Nolan switching to wide on the left.

Mahoney wasn’t too far from a winning goal in the 85th minute with a low shot from the right of the box which flew just past Gerken’s right post.

A minute later, skipper Luke Chambers nodded down a freekick from deep but Sears just couldn’t reach it.

Then on 87 the Blues had a golden chance to reclaim the lead. Jackson, who had enjoyed his best game since joining Town, escaped down the left and cut across to Sears, however, the ball flew just behind the striker and it was cleared from inside the six-yard box.

With two minutes remaining the Blues were reduced to 10 men for the third time this season. This time Pennington was the man to see red following his second yellow card for a foul on Maghoma.

Immediately, Edwards was sacrificed for Janoi Donacien as Town looked to see out the final few minutes for a point.

The Blues found themselves under significant pressure during injury time and Birmimgham nearly won it when Jutkiewicz was found in space at the far post but Gerken reacted quickly to close him down and block. Moments later, the whistle ended an entertaining topsy-turvy affair.

Town will be kicking themselves that they are still waiting for their first win of the season having been two goals in front.

The timing of Birmingham’s first goal gave them impetus and momentum at the start of the second half and despite Town having the occasional moment of their own going forward, the potential for second home goal was always there.

The Blues, who climb a place to 22nd in the table, defended staunchly to hang on to their point in the closing stages, particularly after going down to 10 men, and might even have grabbed a third goal on the break.

Going into the match a first away draw of the season wouldn’t have been viewed as a bad result.

However, in the context of having been 2-0 up at half-time it’s major chance to claim a first victory missed at the 10th time of asking in the league and with two very tough fixtures - Middlesbrough at home on Tuesday which Pennington will miss and Swansea away on Saturday - in the next week.

Town: Gerken, Pennington, Nsiala, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Skuse, Chalobah, Edwards (Donacien 88), Nolan, Ward (Sears 81), Jackson. Unused: Bialkowski, Graham, Downes, Dozzell, Edun.

Birmingham: Camp, Pedersen, Morrison (c), Dean, Colin, Lakin (Mahoney 64), G Gardner (Kieftenbeld 46), Jota, Maghoma, Jutkiewicz, Adams. Unused: Trueman, Roberts, Harding, Solomon-Otabor, Bogle. Referee: John Brooks (Leicestershire). Att: 21,612 (Town 1,096).

Photo: Pagepix

tractorboybig added 17:53 - Sep 29 wicksy if that's a good point then we are relegated
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jas0999 added 17:54 - Sep 29 Disappointing result after being two up. Birmingham May have beaten Leeds, but aren't a great side. We really ought to have held on. On the positive side, it's an away point. First of the season. On the negative side, we haven't won a competitive game of football all season. Which ever way you dress it up, it's nowhere near good enough, nor acceptable.
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 17:54 - Sep 29 Good to see Nolan get off the mark. He is a good finisher and will score given enough service. Another tough Championship battle and a good point. Birmingham just beat Leeds last week, so lets get some perspective. Just need a bit more creativity and as usual i think the 2 holding midfielders are holding us back.
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TimmyH added 17:58 - Sep 29 Looking at the bigger picture (including the last season or so) when was the last time we controlled a game and clearly looked the better side?...I'm struggling to remember. Sad times. If this win less run goes on much longer then the club should really consider getting Burley in as Director of Football.
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dirtydingusmagee added 17:58 - Sep 29 Marcus wont spend , we get what he deserves at the end of the day .
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prebbs007 added 18:00 - Sep 29 Chambers defending for first goal absolutely disgusting. Jutkiewicz is probably the slowest centre forward in the division yet turned him and trundled away from him with ease. He's a liability and costs us goals week in and week out. He has no ability on his left side yet we play him LCB and he has to cover Knudsen who is possibly the worst LB we've had for 10 years. All the goals we are conceding from open play are down our left hand side. It's soooo obvious PH, sort it out !!!

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blues1 added 18:10 - Sep 29 TimmH. U say uve been a fan since 1975 yet u seem to have forgotten that under keane we went 14 games without a win. And finished midtable. The fact is that for anyone whos realistic, takung e erything into account,ust staying in this division should have always been the 1st priority. Then build from that next season. I really hope hurst is given the opportunity to see the job through. Actually believe getting rid of him could totally ruin the team spirit that appears to still be apparent. Without that we would almost certainly be doomed

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LWNR2013 added 18:12 - Sep 29 Sorry Timmy H! Meant to mark you down not up.
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Suffolkboy added 18:16 - Sep 29 Sad to lose from a wimming position ,but sad too to recognise amongst the comments the " fixed " downbeat expressions on certain players performance and ability ! These encapsulate the very poor moods of last season & don't appear to reflect any true support ( or indeed objectivity or cool judgement. ) but our team deserve that support and enccvouragement to help them along the way ; does anybody think they weren't as a group ,or individuals not trying ? We are lacking in several areas ,but it the resolution lies in either utilising some of our youngsters , allowing and forcing the development of our new incomers ( inexperienced at this level ) or hopefully financing imports innJanuary . Decisions and implementation of any and all of these lies with PH & CD plus ME . We shall have to remain patient !! Up the Blues!

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LonE17Blue added 18:17 - Sep 29 mib, Your comment is appalling, Grow Up!
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runaround added 18:21 - Sep 29 A draw that feels like a defeat! I said to my daughter at half time that it was important to not concede an early goal second half & we don't even last 3 minutes 😡 The longer this run without a win goes the more of a problem it will become in everybody's mind especially the players. I really want it to work for Hurst but I just can't see us winning a game right now. Worrying times

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Normandyblue added 18:23 - Sep 29 Not getting hammered every game, but still a little off the pace, perhaps normal for a squad that has undergone such a radical overhaul. Certainly think that PH should not be hung out to dry this early on, this is a project and projects take time, the guy has a proven record albeit in the lower leagues, time will tell if he has what it takes at this level, but most of us wanted his risk to be taken, right? I hate the sacking mentality, that has never been he Ipswich way, and I honestly think what the club needs is the full support of the fans,

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Normandyblue added 18:23 - Sep 29 Not getting hammered every game, but still a little off the pace, perhaps normal for a squad that has undergone such a radical overhaul. Certainly think that PH should not be hung out to dry this early on, this is a project and projects take time, the guy has a proven record albeit in the lower leagues, time will tell if he has what it takes at this level, but most of us wanted his risk to be taken, right? I hate the sacking mentality, that has never been he Ipswich way, and I honestly think what the club needs is the full support of the fans,

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stevelincsexile added 18:25 - Sep 29 The problem lies in the fact that the standard of football in the championship is continuing to rise we so many teams able to buy ex premiership p,Ayers and we buy first and second division players who do not match the top teams. We have two options either ME invests in better class players or we rely on our youngsters to make the grade as I do not see this team as ever being good enough in this league.

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LWNR2013 added 18:31 - Sep 29 LonE17..thanx for y our support but maybe not very subtle 👍
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grinch added 18:32 - Sep 29 we were lucky to be 2 nil up and got murdered in second half then Gerks does what he is good at with a powder punch those who think we are not getting hammered are correct in score lines but on the pitch we are getting hammered and we are not unlucky in fact we have been lucky since international break not to get hammered as we are poor not doubting that it is a poor team currently thank God there are a few poor teams so that we can still cling on to are championship hopes but I don't think that this manager is the one that will keep us in there action required by Evans at next break or before otherwise it will be too late and we won't be in this league next season. There isn't even a glimmer of hope at moment let's hope Bart is back next week and we know we are in trouble when Sears has to start get Dozzell in too and maybe another youngster these new players are not up for the task in hand really

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Swn98 added 18:38 - Sep 29 Normandyblue agree with parts of your post there were lots of us didn't want to go down this route however down it we have gone so agree sacking managers is not the best way forward .When we get beaten its not by being played off the field we need to find some creativity from somewhere at least give Dozzell a half tuesday. I read some posters calling for Gerks to be replaced because of the second goal if your going to be that clinical in judging players why don't you consider the 3 major saves he made. Going to be a tough game if we can gt something out of it i feel progress however small will of been made.

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LWNR2013 added 18:39 - Sep 29 Normandy...agree totally. Well put!
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Elizabeth added 18:42 - Sep 29 Very disappointing after going 2-O up .. can't understand why Dozzell is not featuring if he's fit ! Long road ahead but it's early in the season ! Mc Goldrick doing the business for Sheffield Utd! 🙄🙄
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Henrietta_R_Hippo added 18:44 - Sep 29 IMHO we were not only simply fortuitous to be in front after the 1st half, and while it's obviously always real gutting to surrender a 2 goal lead, judging by last 25+ min of the 2nd half and then the whole 95 we were also clearly even luckier to come away with just the one point at the final whistle... and the stats mentioned below support that notion too I think. Stat Summary: Outshot 22-7! (9-3 'on target'); OutAerialed 53-27!; And while also being HEAVILY OutCornered & OutDribled, but only slightly OutPossessed & OutPassed... Lo and Behold! we did actually manage to be on top in one single stat-category as we practically 'tackled them off the field' by a clear margin 12-23. Overall Verdict: Glad to see a couple of goals, especially the one involving the chased down ball & subsequent fine assist by our once again 'Lone Striker' (Kayden surely had his best game yet which obviously will boost his confidence, and while still a "WIP" in this much tougher-than-league-2 division and while I've never actually written the speedster off alltogether -- unlike *some* of the other many new Hurst signings! -- and hopefully with more assists & goals coming his way, I still reserve hope that it's definitely within the Realm of Possibilities that he at some point down the road could develop into a strikeforce who CONSISTENTLY can truly "cut it" at this level) ....and additionally also pleased with some occasionally pretty neat & nifty ITFC passing today! (With Walters sadly gone, on the other hand with him not on the field hopefully gone in the process too is also the in recent games sudden reversal to way too much goofy HoofBall 101)

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mib added 18:45 - Sep 29 lone17blue, are you seriously telling me you would not have taken a point prior to kick off. Negativity?
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warktheline added 18:46 - Sep 29 Have a look around the squads in the Championship and then start worrying ! Hurst was appointed to 'utilise' players in lower leagues and find a winning formula! He,himself has already 'doubted' these lads, and yet to win a game! It's an 'enormous' ask for any manager, Evans has,and continues to 'undermine' the foundations this club was built upon!
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Henrietta_R_Hippo added 18:51 - Sep 29 HOWEVER largely I still don't get Hurst's way of managerial "mastermind" thinking I'm afraid! 1) Unchanged starting XI & formation from last game???!!! Hmmm did we really look that much like "Worldbeaters" against a inherently crappy & for 60 minutes 1-man-short Bolton team??? No we most certainly didn't! And among a whole range of complaints form that contest only had our first decent (of an also here very meager tally 'on target', namely 2) finish fairly late in that game! 2) Furthermore I still often don't grasp what Hurst, on a whole, is doing with his substitutions.... or like today = lack of all 3 them?!, neither sometimes with the personnel nor sometimes with the timing of them! Alas by the same token: Is the somewhat volatile but clearly talented Edun just another benchwarmer now??? Likewise will the passing & creative-minded Downes ever be forgiven and get another start??? And regarding the jewel-in-the-crown among our youngster when will Andre Dozzell, in accordance with the strictest of *Klingon-esque* "Sports Science" of course LOL!, be allowed some playing time??? ...and so on and so on. Any which way, onwards Mr. Hurst! as surely there were visible positives & improvements here and there today, and as I inferred in my 1 post I would personally have been perfectly happy with just one point from this tricky contest before kickoff... I'm thus quite "elated" with the one point all things considered here afterwards.

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TimmyH added 18:53 - Sep 29 blues1 - I was probably typing the same type of comment when Keane was in charge (can't remember) but did he turn out to be any good after that win less run? absolutely not... maybe a majority are now becoming more accepting for Hurst as he has not managed at this level and not financed like the dark lord. Slight worry is that some posters standards in regards to this club are lowering and accepting a draw as a 'result' against an average Birmingham outfit. Stand by my comment if things don't change in regards to not winning an experienced man needs to step in as director of football and Burley would not go a miss though Hurst deserves somewhat more time before this step.

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pazzy added 19:03 - Sep 29 GET RID NOW XMAS WE WILL BE LONG GONE
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