Demarai Gray converted a 94th-minute penalty to secure a 2-2 draw for Birmingham City against Bristol City in a frenetic finish at St Andrew's. The result was the first Championship game of the season at the stadium, and Blues had to come from behind twice to claim a point.
Bristol City thought they had won all three points when £5million summer signing Dom Ballard scored a stunning back-heeled volley with five minutes remaining. However, Blues pushed for a leveller and were controversially denied through Jhon Solis before Gray was handed the chance from the spot in stoppage time.
First half: Twine opener and Tickle own goal
Robins boss Michael Skubala recalled Scott Twine after leaving him out on the opening weekend, and the attacking midfielder created the game's first real opportunity for himself. Twine shimmied past his man on the edge of Blues' box before dragging a shot six inches wide of the target.
Bright Osayi-Samuel went close at the other end after patient play on Blues' left through Paik Seung-ho and Alex Cochrane to work a crossing opportunity. Cochrane's cross was headed clear to Osayi-Samuel, who whipped a left-footed effort wide of the upright.
Bristol City became the more threatening team as the half wore on, and Lorent Tolaj should have put them ahead before the half-hour mark. A corner wasn't dealt with by Blues, and Jason Knight crossed for Tolaj to head over from eight yards out.
The visitors' next set piece resulted in the opening goal. A deep free-kick was headed across by Rob Dickie, and Twine found the bottom corner at the second attempt. Blues reacted in the right way and drew level before half-time after another neat move down the left. Cochrane reached the byline and pulled the ball back for Carlos Vicente, whose shot struck the post and bounced over the goalline via Tickle's heel.
Second half: Ballard stunner and late drama
The first chance of the second half fell to Tomoki Iwata. Another free-kick from deep was headed across by August Priske, and it dropped to Iwata on the penalty spot, but the Japanese midfielder volleyed over. Bristol City went straight down the other end and almost regained the lead through Joe Williams. An incisive counter-attack saw the ball teed up for Williams on the edge of the box, but the midfielder couldn't quite find the top corner.
Beadle was then called into action to thwart Twine. Bristol City's number 10 was slipped in down the right side of the box and lashed the ball straight at Beadle from a tight angle. Jed Wallace was next to work Beadle with a ferocious strike that required a strong left-handed save to prevent it from finding the net. The gilt-edged chance soon arrived for Tolaj. George Tanner's cross from the right was perfect for the unmarked Tolaj at the far post, but the striker somehow headed wide.
The man who replaced Tolaj, Ballard, found the net in spectacular fashion with five minutes to go. Ballard instinctively flicked a left-wing cross into the top corner with a back-heel that left St Andrew's stunned. Blues pushed for a leveller and thought they had one through Jhon Solis, only to see the offside flag raised on the far side. Referee Will Finnie signalled that a player had blocked goalkeeper Tickle's line of sight, but Blues were furious with the decision.
Player ratings and impact
Finnie was at the centre of things in stoppage time when he awarded Blues a penalty having initially ignored their appeals. Gray stayed cool in the heat of battle to fire his penalty into the bottom left-hand corner and salvage a point for Blues.
James Beadle was rated 7, making good saves from Twine and Wallace in the second half when Blues were under the cosh. Bright Osayi-Samuel earned a 6, flashing a shot wide of the post from an advanced midfield position and matching the speedy Hirakawa stride for stride before being replaced at half-time. Phil Neumann and Christoph Klarer each received 6.5, with Neumann more composed on the ball than previously and Klarer a presence at the other end.
Alex Cochrane was rated 7.5, with his left foot becoming a vital attacking weapon for Blues, including the equaliser. Jhon Solis earned a 7, bizarrely denied a goal near the end in a combative performance. Tomoki Iwata received 6.5 as Blues' insurance policy in midfield, while Carlos Vicente was rated 6 with minimal influence. Paik Seung-ho earned a 6, having some joy when drifting over to the left but not giving much goal threat from the number 10 position. Jay Stansfield was rated 6.5, seeming more comfortable when moved inside once Gray was introduced, and August Priske earned a 6, with Bristol City limiting his involvement.
Among the substitutes, Ethan Laird earned a 6 for defending well against Hirakawa, Patrick Roberts received a 6 for his return to the pitch, and Demarai Gray was rated 6.5 for keeping calm to clinch a point. Luis Vazquez and Marvin Ducksch were not rated. The draw leaves Birmingham City with a point from their first home Championship game, with the team showing resilience in a dramatic finish.
