Nine-man Fulham hung on for a point in a disappointing stalemate with Birmingham at St Andrews.

Jean Tigana's side were a man short from the 37th minute when Rufus Brevett was sent off for deliberate handball from Geoff Horsfield's goal-bound header.

However, Stern John saw his penalty saved by Edwin van der Sar and Horsfield fired the rebound wide.

The Cottagers lost another man 12 minutes from time when Steve Marlet was red-carded for lashing out at Robbie Savage.

The first half was a commited, albeit scrappy affair, and with both teams on the same points it was tense from the kick-off.

The home side began the brighter and could have gone ahead after four minutes, ex-Fulham hitman Horsfield seeing his shot turned around the post by Van der Sar.

Just three minutes later the Blues had the ball in the visitors' net, but Darren Purse's header was ruled out for offside.

The game's major incident happened after 36 minutes.

A Paul Devlin cross was headed goalwards by Horsfield, but Brevett stuck an arm out to stop the ball crossing the line and was sent off by the referee.

John stepped up to take the penalty, but his effort was brilliantly saved by Van der Sar and Horsfield wasted the rebound, firing wide.

The second period saw Birmingham desperately trying to make the most of their one-man advantage.