Birmingham City 1-1 Wigan Athletic: Nick Powell equaliser earns point for Latics

Birmingham City extended their unbeaten run to six games despite Nick Powell's goal earning Wigan Athletic a point at St Andrew's.

The Blues took an early lead when Lukas Jutkiewicz ran on to Craig Gardner's pass and scored through the legs of keeper Jamie Jones.

Joe Garner's glancing header hit the post as Wigan looked for a quick reply and later saw an effort blocked on the line by Wes Harding.

The equaliser arrived on the stroke of half-time as Powell beat Lee Camp with a deflected shot from outside the box.

Birmingham remain 17th, two points and one place above Wigan, but there was little but pride to play for with both already safe from relegation.

The home side were without first-choice centre-backs Harlee Dean and Michael Morrison, but made the best possible start when Jutkiewicz converted his 14th goal of the season, and third in four games.

Che Adams had a couple of shots saved by Jones, but Garner proved a handful for the Blues defence at the other end and Powell's equaliser was deserved.

There were fewer clear opportunities after the break but Craig Gardner headed Jota's cross wide for Birmingham before Wigan sub Joe Gelhardt flashed a left-foot shot just wide of the post as the visitors made it four matches unbeaten.

Birmingham City manager Garry Monk told BBC Radio WM 95.6:

"It wasn't the performance that we wanted in our last home game. The less said about the game the better. It wasn't about attitude or effort- it just became a very scrappy game.

"We were poor with the ball today. We had a great start to the game, but we couldn't maintain it.

"The key is to look at the bigger picture and what these lads have given this season, especially here at St. Andrews, trying to turn this into a positive place to play. Overall, the lads have done exceptionally well this season. We've pushed them to the limit, and physically, they've given everything they've got."

Wigan Athletic assistant manager Leam Richardson:

"It was pleasing to finish the final away game of the season with a positive result. The one thing I can say about our lads is that they never collapse, and they managed to galvanise themselves and get a great result, as they have done many times this season.

"The lads deserved to finish on a high. We started the season well, stumbled a little in mid-season, but suffered only one defeat in our last eight games.

"There was no way the manager would allow the team to drift into the summer. He wants to win every game. He wants to finish as high as possible."