Newcastle were left ruing a string of missed chances after 10 man Birmingham salvaged a draw out of their third round FA cup tie.
Sebastian Larsson shot high, past Given, to earn his side a second bite of the cherry just as Newcastle looked to have done enough to secure their place in the fourth round. But Martins and Dyer both spurned a hatful of chances which would have put killed the game off long before the late equalizer.
Things could, however, have been very different, with Birmingham much the better team in the first half. The Brummies took a deserved lead in the 15th minute when D.J. Campbell slotted home from Larsson`s corner.
And they could have doubled their lead but for the alertness of Steven Taylor who did well to clear a Bendtner shot off the line. And only minutes later Taylor cemented his good work, this time heading the equalizer from Milner`s corner.
The game turned completely just a few minutes and when Birmingham`s Jaidi was correctly shown a straight red for hauling down Martins just outside the box, Birmingham fan must have feared the worst.
And indeed, Newcastle looked a different side after halftime. Newcastle put the pressure on with Milner working the keeper with a free-kick before hitting the woodwork with another.
Newcastle were rewarded in the 54th minute when Martins found Dyer with a pass leaving the midfielder to slot home.
Newcastle continued to press and had more than enough chances to finish the game off but Birmingham kept plugging away and were able to claim what some would argue was a deserved draw.
Player Ratings
Given 7
Couldn’t have done much about the goals.
Solano 7
Brings some much needed experience to the back four.
Huntington 5
Shakey
Taylor 7
Two crucial interventions.
Edgar 6
Did alright.
Milner 7
Unlucky not to get a goal.
Dyer 8
7th goal of the season, finally living up to his potential.
Butt 7
Did well
Pattison 6
Made little impact
Sibierski 6
Didn’t really get going.
Martins 7
Decision making let him down.
O’Brien 6
Did nothing wrong.
Roeder
‘When you lead with five minutes to go against opponents who have 10 men, I would expect us to see out the game and win.
‘Unfortunately, the equaliser showed the inexperience in the team, because we did not handle the cross that came into the box for the equaliser.
‘Having said that, we should have been out of sight by then.’