Having suffered a hefty defeat against Cardiff City last time out, Birmingham City would look to return to winning ways as they hosted Millwall on Saturday. The Lions have struggled for form thus far this season, but recorded a slender victory against Stoke City last weekend.
BIR: Ruddy; Buchanan, Long, Sanderson, Drameh; Anderson, Sunjic, Bielik, Bacuna; Hogan, Stansfield
MIL: Sarkic; Cooper, Hutchinson, Leonard; Wallace, Saville, Mitchell, Norton-Cuffy; Nisbet, Flemming, Bradshaw
Nisbet handed the visitors an early lead in the Second City, stepping up to power a free-kick past Ruddy after Bradshaw was fouled just six minutes into the game. Having netted his side’s only goal against Cardiff City last time out, the ex-Hibernian winger looks to have settled into his new club perfectly.
Millwall thought they had doubled their lead as Leonard’s volley dipped into the back of the net, but a deflection off Cooper would see the goal disallowed – with the latter in an offside position.
Yet their lead was cast into doubt just before the break, as Sarkic hauled Anderson to the ground inside the penalty area. The goalkeeper redeemed himself with a fine save though, denying Hogan’s resulting effort from the spot.
But the Birmingham City faithful would find cause for celebration just minutes into the second half, as Bacuna teed up Stansfield – allowing the former Exeter forward to thump an effort into the far corner and restore parity.
Stansfield came close to netting his second of the game to thrust the hosts into the lead, though Sarkic was equal to the chance and did well to deny the youngster.
Birmingham’s unbeaten start to the season continues ahead of their upcoming trip to Vicarage Road, while Millwall will strive to break into the top half of the table against Leeds United next time out. Those clashes take place on the 16th and 17th of September respectively.
