Birmingham returned to top six on Sunday after a 1-1 draw at home to Cardiff. Erik Huseklepp, after Marlon King had missed a penalty, gave the hosts a 68th minute lead before, 10 minutes later, Cardiff skipper Mark Hudson drew the visitors level at St Andrew s with a fine volley. The draw left both sides level on 60 points but Birmingham s vastly better goal difference gave them the final playoff place with seven games left as they try to return to the lucrative Premier League. Birmingham forced the only save of the first half when Guirane N Daw s weak shot was easily fielded by David Marshall. The hosts, on the defensive for most of the opening period, had the chance to take the lead after the break when Jordan Mutch was broght down in the box by Dan Cowie. But King s poor penalty was saved by Marshall, diving to his right. However, the home side did take the lead when they hit Cardiff on the counter-attack. Chris Burke beat Kevin McNaughton, Cardiff s lone defender as they attacked at a corner, and provided the perfect pass for Huseklepp to beat Marshall at the far post. But Peter Whittingham created Cardiff s equaliser 12 minutes from time with a chip over the home defence that Hudson volleyed in from 18 yards out. Both teams had chances to add further goals but Marshall and Birmingham keeper Boaz Myhill kept the scores level with smart saves.
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