Birmingham climbed back to second in the table but had to settle for a goalless draw against Charlton.
Birmingham back up to second despite goalless draw
Birmingham climbed back to second in the Championship but had to settle for a point after being held to a goalless draw by Charlton.
The Addicks look doomed to relegation but they turned in a battling display against the promotion-chasing Blues and almost snatched victory when Zheng Zhi squandered an excellent opportunity late on.
There were few other clear-cut chances in a lacklustre encounter, the result of which leaves Birmingham four points adrift of leaders Wolves.
The impressive Jonjo Shelvey blasted a volley over the top and saw a curling effort comfortably held by Maik Taylor in the early stages.
At the other end Rob Elliot kept out a couple of free-kicks from Hameur Bouazza, the former Addicks loanee who was revelling in the role of pantomime villain with his every touch being loudly booed by the home fans.
Shelvey sent a free-kick narrowly over the crossbar, while Blues defender Radhi Jaidi headed Bouazza's corner too high in first-half stoppage time.
The game improved after the break and Charlton winger Lloyd Sam almost caught Taylor out with an angled drive which the keeper palmed onto his own post.
Sam then curled another shot wide before defender Darren Ward had the ball in the Birmingham net, only to be denied by an offside flag.
Shelvey forced another smart save from Taylor with a low drive and Tresor Kandol headed over before the chance of the game fell to Zheng with 15 minutes remaining.
Taylor spilled a cross under pressure from Kandol and the ball fell to the China midfielder right in front of goal, but he scuffed his shot and Stephen Carr was able to block on the line.
In a lively finale, Elliot made two fine saves from Keith Fahey before Taylor superbly clawed away Shelvey's deflected shot.
