Hull grab rare away point at Birmingham

Hull’s bid to stay in the Premier League received a boost on Saturday with a precious point in a goalless draw at Birmingham.

Hull manager Iain Dowie had demanded a response in the battle to avoid the drop after the Tigers had been beaten 4-1 at home by fellow strugglers Burnley last weekend.

But they were far more resolute against the Blues in picking up a rare clean sheet and only their fifth away point of the campaign.

It was all the more meritorious given that Birmingham are unbeaten at home since September and have not been beaten by any of the current top six in front of their own supporters.

Hull remain in the bottom three but will be looking to capitalise on having three of their remaining four games at home if they are to survive the drop.

Dowie had reminded his squad of their responsibilities to the club and the area and was satisfied with “a display to be proud of”.

He said: “You have to be careful not to over-react at times. No one was more angry, frustrated or fuming at the end of the Burnley game than me after our second-half performance.

“I had a conversation this week with the players, ramming home what Premier League survival means to the area, the people who work at the club, and the fans.

“I asked for a response in training, then I wanted a positive performance today – and I got it. There weren’t many chances but I thought we shaded it in terms of opportunities.

“It is a working-class area and people demand the lads put a shift in and you saw that today.

“Against Burley in the second half we didn’t do that enough. That is the minimum we require.

“We got the response and we will see how important that point is at the end of the season.

“But given Birmingham’s home record, it was a display to be proud of.”

The Blues also responded in a positive fashion after their 5-1 reversal at Manchester City and they have not been beaten at St Andrew’s since September.

McLeish said: “After the five breakaway goals from City last week, I wanted a clean sheet and I’m proud of the lads and the way we bounced back.

“Maybe we didn’t have the imagination or creativity in the final third but we still showed a lot of professionalism.

“We have proved time and time again that we can bounce back. You have bad performances from time to time but the players have got it in their character to respond.

“You have to dust it off like a bit of dandruff on your shoulder and show what you can do.”