Brentford seem to have run out of puff as the marathon that is the Championship promotion race enters the home straight.
This was a fourth consecutive draw for Thomas Frank’s side as their ambitions of overhauling Watford and claiming the second fast-track ticket to the Premier League fade fast.
The Bees now trail in-form Watford by nine points and it will take a monumental transformation in fortunes now for them to avoid the play-offs and do things the straightforward way.
MATCH FACTS
Brentford (4-3-3): Raya; Roerslev, Jansson (c), Pinnock, Sorensen; Jensen (Marcondes 71), Norgaard, Janelt (Ghoddos 71); Mbeumo (Fosu 78), Toney, Canos (Forss 86)
Substitutes not used: Daniels (GK); Goode, Reid, Stevens, Bidstrup
Manager: Thomas Frank
Birmingham City (4-1-2-1-2): Etheridge; Colin, Roberts, Dean (c), Pedersen; Sunjic; Gardner, Halilovic (Toral 60 (Harper 72)); McGree; Hogan (Leko 59), Jutkiewicz (Cosgrove 89)
Substitutes not used: Prieto (GK); Friend, Bela, San Jose, Seddon
Manager: Lee Bowyer
Referee: Dean Whitestone (Northamptonshire)
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The point was far more useful for Birmingham, who matched the promotion chasers for long spells and are now seven points clear of Rotherham just above the drop zone, albeit having played four games more.