Match ends, Sheffield Wednesday 0, Birmingham City 0.
Sheff WedSheffield Wednesday0BirminghamBirmingham City0
Sheffield Wednesday failed to score for the eighth Championship home game this season as they were held to a goalless draw by Birmingham.
Jacques Maghoma had the best chance for the home side, who have now found the net just seven times in their 14 league matches at Hillsborough.
Blues winger David Cotterill went closest for Gary Rowett's resurgent side.
Birmingham had won three of their last four away games in all competitions.
The draw leaves the Owls nine points away from sixth-placed Watford, while Birmingham are two points further behind in 11th.
Wednesday winger Maghoma had a low shot saved by goalkeeper Darren Randolph in a poor quality first half.
Birmingham's Clayton Donaldson, who had scored five times in his previous three games, narrowly failed to connect with a centre from left-back Jonathan Grounds just before the break before keeper Keiren Westwood was forced to turn over a powerful drive from winger Cotterill.
Things didn't improve after the break as home striker Atdhe Nuhiu was off target with a couple of efforts and Cotterill shot wide for Birmingham.
Sheffield Wednesday manager Stuart Gray: "The pitch isn't the best but it's the same for both teams.
"I want to get the ball down and play but unfortunately for players, they are tensing up because the ball's bouncing all over the place.
"When you do get in and get opportunities, you've got to be more clinical in front of goal."
Birmingham manager Gary Rowett: "Under the circumstances, I think that's a fantastic, gritty performance and a very good clean sheet and point for us.
"I think the pitch had a complete bearing on the game, probably a hundred per cent bearing on the game."
Line-ups
Sheff Wed
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Westwood
- 8Palmer
- 15Lees
- 5Loovens
- 3Mattock
- 10MaguireSubstituted forHelanat 61'minutes
- 11Baker
- 6Semedo
- 19Maghoma
- 9NuhiuBooked at 90mins
- 48KeaneSubstituted forMayat 75'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Buxton
- 7May
- 13Lavery
- 17Helan
- 20Lee
- 23Wildsmith
- 35Dielna
Birmingham
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Randolph
- 31Caddis
- 28MorrisonSubstituted forSpectorat 21'minutes
- 4Robinson
- 3GroundsBooked at 68mins
- 26Davis
- 8Gleeson
- 11CotterillBooked at 90mins
- 22ShinnieSubstituted forDyerat 71'minutes
- 33Gray
- 9DonaldsonSubstituted forThomasat 84'minutes
Substitutes
- 10Thomas
- 12Novak
- 17Reilly
- 19Zigic
- 21Doyle
- 23Spector
- 40Dyer
- Referee:
- Trevor Kettle
- Attendance:
- 18,385
Match Stats
Home TeamSheff WedAway TeamBirmingham
- Possession
- Home59%
- Away41%
- Shots
- Home10
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home1
- Away3
- Corners
- Home7
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Sheffield Wednesday 0, Birmingham City 0.
Booking
Atdhe Nuhiu (Sheffield Wednesday) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Atdhe Nuhiu (Sheffield Wednesday).
Post update
Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt saved. David Cotterill (Birmingham City) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Booking
David Cotterill (Birmingham City) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Josè Semedo (Sheffield Wednesday).
Post update
Wes Thomas (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Offside, Sheffield Wednesday. Jacques Maghoma tries a through ball, but Atdhe Nuhiu is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Birmingham City. Wes Thomas replaces Clayton Donaldson.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Post update
Delay in match Paul Robinson (Birmingham City) because of an injury.
Post update
Corner, Sheffield Wednesday. Conceded by Jonathan Grounds.
Post update
Attempt missed. Atdhe Nuhiu (Sheffield Wednesday) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Liam Palmer with a cross.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Stevie May (Sheffield Wednesday) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Liam Palmer.
Post update
Offside, Birmingham City. David Cotterill tries a through ball, but Lloyd Dyer is caught offside.
Post update
Foul by Josè Semedo (Sheffield Wednesday).
Post update
Clayton Donaldson (Birmingham City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Attempt missed. Atdhe Nuhiu (Sheffield Wednesday) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
