Jack Robinson saved Birmingham a point in the 1-1 draw at Derby, with both teams playing with 10 men.
The veteran defender scored his first goal for the club from close range in the 64th minute, canceling out Patrick Agyeman’s first-half header.
The Rams were reduced to numbers just before the interval when Joe Ward was dismissed for picking up two bookings in quick succession.
This put the visiting team at a disadvantage, but in Birmingham, home captain Christoph Klerer was sent off in stoppage time for a reckless challenge from substitute Ebou Adams, and was also given a red card.
Even though it was a friendly season, the match was difficult from the beginning. The move comes as Derby manager John Eustace, who himself was booked for an infraction with a fourth official, returned to action against the club he managed before being replaced by Wayne Rooney.
Birmingham started well but were unlucky to take the lead in the fifth minute when Demarai Gray hit a shot on the wrong side of Ward, but his finish hit the foot of the post.
However, the Derby defender’s next contribution was more positive. A cross from the right side hit Agyeman in the head, but the shot went wide of the target.
However, in the 27th minute, Agyeman scored a well-placed goal to give the visitors the lead.
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Patrick Agyeman scores the opening goal in the derby against Birmingham after a quick counter-attack
The ball found its way to Rhian Brewster via Ward’s long punt up, who used his pace to get ahead of Robinson and loft the ball into the area for Agyemang to slot past James Beadle.
Shortly after, Ward received the first of two warnings for a late restart.
And Roberts, who looked like Birmingham’s biggest attacking threat, came close to the Rams’ goal, but Ward clipped his heel seven minutes before the break.
Referee Ben Toner immediately issued a second yellow and sent Ward off.
Home manager Chris Davies made two changes just before the hour in an attempt to revive the visitors and was rewarded in the 64th minute when Birmingham equalized.
Mark Leonard’s free kick was saved by Matt Clarke and Agyeman at the far post, but both got in each other’s way and Robinson forced the ball past Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
After that, Birmingham became more cautious as they tried to take the lead, but Zetterstrom deftly stopped Baek Seung-ho’s shot from the edge of the area and got close to the goal.
And in the final seconds, the woodwork came to Derby’s aid when Robinson’s header hit the crossbar.
The result means Birmingham are without a win in five games since losing 2-1 to Watford in early December, and the Rams extend their unbeaten run to four.
managers
Chris Davis of Birmingham:
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John Eustace of Derby:
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