Fulham 1 Birmingham 1
A disappointed Fulham boss Kit Symons rued missed chances as an early goal each saw Fulham draw Birmingham, who are now unbeaten in six.
Hugo Rodallega’s 11th goal of the season got the Londoners off to a flying start with just five minutes on the clock.
However, less than ten minutes later, a terrific David Cotterill free-kick curled past Marcus Bettinelli to level the score. The Blues were able to hold on and deprive Fulham of three important points in their fading play-off hopes.
Symons said: “The play-offs are an awful long way away and every time we drop points it gets that little bit further.
“Tuesday away at Bolton is now a big game for us. I think this side is capable of going on a run and that could get us closer to those play-offs.”
Both teams suffered an appalling start to the season, turned around by a managerial change, but this game followed a completely opposite storyline.
With both goals scored in the opening quarter of an hour, the match fizzled out progressively for a point that will please visiting Birmingham more than it will Symons’ side.
“We started very brightly but it was almost a case of scoring too soon. It was a very good goal but we stepped back a little bit,” he added.
“The second half we started a bit slow but then dominated from there. In the end we are disappointed that we have not gone on and won it.”
The Cottagers twice came close to winning the game, first when Hugo Rodallega’s effort was saved well by Blues’ goalkeeper Darren Randolph before Alex Kacaniklic dragged an effort just wide.
Fulham, who have not kept a clean sheet since December 20 when they thrashed Sheffield Wednesday 4-0, will now prepare for their trip to Bolton to face the oldest strike partnership in the league of Emile Heskey and Eidur Gudjohnson.
