Brighton 1-1 Birmingham
Last updated on .From the section Football
Birmingham earned the point they needed to secure a place in the Championship play-offs despite being held to a draw by Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Substitute Nathan Redmond gave the visitors a second-half lead with a low drive from 20 yards following Marlon King's powerful run and pass.
But Brighton pushed for a late leveller and got it as Ashley Barnes side-footed in from Inigo Calderon's cut-back.
The Blues were not at their best but they are now unbeaten in eight matches.
Yet it was the Seagulls, looking to end their first season at the Amex on a high, who almost took an 11th-minute lead.
A clever ball from Vicente Rodriguez sent Will Buckley through but the winger's shot forced a fine block from Colin Doyle.
Chris Hughton sent winger Redmond on with just half an hour gone after Morgaro Gomis received an early booking.
The move almost paid immediate dividends as Birmingham's best chance of the first half fell to the teenager, who cut inside before fizzing his shot across goal and just wide of Peter Brezovan's post.
At the other end the visitors were almost caught out by a deep Vicente free-kick which found Joe Mattock at the far post, but the left-back's volley crashed into the side-netting.
Doyle was in action again two minutes after the interval with a smart save to keep out Alan Navarro's drive from the edge of the box.
Mattock then fashioned another chance for himself on the overlap but his shot flew over the crossbar.
Brighton were punished when Redmond found the bottom right-hand corner following good work from King.
Substitute Andros Townsend came close to doubling City's lead with a 25-yard effort which was well saved by the diving Brezovan.
However, Albion rallied and Doyle got down well to deny Craig Mackail-Smith.
But the keeper could not prevent Barnes converting Inigo Calderon's pass with six minutes remaining to snatch a point for the hosts.
