Rotherham United 0-0 Birmingham City: Blues remain in relegation trouble

Birmingham City remain in relegation trouble after being held to a goalless draw at bottom side Rotherham, in a game that was delayed by a medical emergency in the crowd.

Both sides struggled in front of goal in what was Steve Evans' first match at the helm since returning to Rotherham, following Leam Richardson's departure.

Jay Stansfield thought he had won it for the Blues late on, although his effort was ruled out as the points were shared.

Gary Rowett's side stay 21st but are now two points clear of Huddersfield Town with two games remaining.

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Already-relegated Rotherham remain rock bottom on 24 points but at least made an unbeaten start to their second stint under Evans, ending a three-match losing run.

Birmingham started on the front foot, with Tyler Roberts volleying wide after being picked out by Keshi Anderson.

Oli Burke's slick play on the right led to Anderson shooting from close range, although Viktor Johansson did well to deny the forward.

Rotherham's already thin squad became further stretched as Arvin Appiah and Cohen Bramall replaced Cafu and Peter Kioso respectively.

The changes did little to help the flow of what was already a lacklustre contest between two sides at the bottom end of the table.

The pattern of the second half remained the same, although the visitors looked on course for a crucial three points when Stansfield fired beyond Johansson in the 76th minute, only for the assistant referee's flag to go up to ensure the game ended goalless.

Birmingham now face a huge game at relegation rivals Huddersfield on Saturday, where they could secure their safety with victory.

Rotherham United boss Steve Evans:

"I thought it (performance) was excellent. We're big believers in not just the eyes but the stats.

"We probably lacked a bit of quality or a bit of luck in the final third, but that seems heavily critical because we've lost key players again.

"We come in and we go back to work because we need to go and produce and have a big performance against Bristol City and finish it properly against Cardiff City and then we go to work."

Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett:

"There were elements of the performance that were lacking that we really needed to go and win the game.

"You know it's going to be tough against Steve's [Evans] sides because they are incredibly direct and play forward really early, make it a real scrap and you've got to find the moments in the game to show real composure.

"I'm hoping that the fan that was ill, I'm hoping that they're OK. I thought the parademics responded brilliantly."