Lukas Jutkiewicz demonstrated the growing confidence in the Birmingham side with two face-saving goals to earn a 2-2 home draw against struggling Ipswich.
The striker displayed a fighting spirit after Ipswich, against all expectations, shook Birmingham to the core by scoring twice in the first half through Jon Nolan and Matt Pennington.
Birmingham, still seeking their first home win of the season, began their fightback two minutes into the second half when Jutkiewicz netted his first goal which was followed
by the equaliser after 68 minutes to set up a pulsating finish.
It was a commendable Ipswich performance only marred by the 87th-minute sending-off of Pennington.
Birmingham, previously with the third best defensive record in the division, played with attacking flair. Jota and Jacques Maghoma provided the launchpad for most of their attacks but it was
Jutkiewicz who produced the finishing skill.
Sterling work by Aristote Nsiala and Luke Chambers proved a stumbling block to Birmingham’s aspirations, with Che Adams being accorded few opportunities to repeat his double in victory over Leeds.
They survived the increasing pressure but Birmingham paid the ultimate penalty in the 26th minute when Ipswich took a shock lead with only their second away goal of the season.
Town’s attacking moves appeared to lack conviction but they shocked their opponents on the counter-attack as Kayden Jackson collected a Pennington pass and set up Jon Nolan to score with a right wing cross-shot into the roof of the net.
Only a goal-line clearance by Jonas Knudsen prevented Michael Morrison equalising and in the 42nd minute Ipswich increased their lead when Pennington was on hand to lash home Grant’s corner.
It was a shock to the system for Birmingham and they hit back strongly in the 47th minute when Jota sent Jutkiewicz clear to jab his shot past the advancing Dean Gerken.
The Ipswich goalkeeper then produced a superb save to keep out an effort from Adams as Birmingham strived for the equaliser.
But in the 68th minute the determined Jutkiewicz, roared home by a passionate crowd, forced the ball home from close range following a general melee when Ipswich blocked four goal attempts before the striker applied the finishing touch.
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