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Simonsen saves the day for Stoke in a sorry stalemate

STOKE 0
BIRMINGHAM 0

STOKE goalkeeper Steve Simonsen pulled off an impressive penalty save from Mikael Forssell to earn his side a draw against Birmingham.

It was a poor game that only really got going when Stoke's Dave Brammer tripped Fabrice Muamba in the box in the 58th minute. But Forssell, who scored the only goal of the game from the spot at Sunderland in midweek, saw his penalty stopped by Simonsen and the danger was cleared.

The Potters battled away but never really looked like breaking the deadlock, and although Birmingham improved as the second half wore on, they will have to produce much more if they're to have any real chance of earning an immediate return to the Premiership.

There were early free-kicks at each end - with Peter Sweeney hitting the wall and Birmingham's Sebastian Larsson firing over - and

while Stoke were always positive in their play, there was little quality service for Mamady Sidibe and Vincent Pericard.

Apart from Luke Chadwick crossing from the right for Sweeney to head over, few opportunities were carved out.

Brum manager Steve Bruce was being urged to 'sort it out' by his own side's vocal fans, but the pattern continued after the break until the game came to life just before the hour.

David Dunn had replaced Larsson and he fed midfielder Muamba inside the area only for his run to be halted by Brammer's trip. But Simonsen went the right way to keep Forssell's weak penalty out, then got up to make a second save. It seemed to spark Stoke, who quickly saw Pericard cross for Sweeney to drag disappointingly wide before Maik Taylor did well to block a Sidibe header from close-range.

The introduction of Dunn certainly spurred the visitors on but they were unable to capitalise on it, and the closest they came was a deep free-kick from substitute Neil Danns. Stephen Kelly, however, headed it into the side-netting. Sweeney was then thwarted by Taylor with a 30-yard free-kick that was pushed wide when it was bound for the top corner, and the game ended a drab stalemate.

This article: http://sport.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1177212006

Last updated: 12-Aug-06 00:42 BST