Half-Time Report: Birmingham City level with Brighton & Hove Albion

Birmingham City go in at half-time level with Brighton & Hove Albion after an opening 45 minutes in which both sides had chances to score.

The Blues, looking for a more promising campaign this time around after narrowly avoiding relegation last season, made a bright start when Lee Novak flashed a shot wide of David Stockdale's goal.

However, Brighton looked threatening in attack themselves as first Kazenga LuaLua, in for new Sunderland recruit Will Buckley, then Craig Mackail-Smith went close to establishing an early lead for Sami Hyypia's men.

The Seagulls, who kept 20 clean sheets last season, squandered another chance on 25 minutes when a set piece move broke to Bruno, but the midfielder failed to keep his effort down.

Birmingham then enjoyed their brightest spell of the first half when Stockdale saved shots from Paul Caddis and Jonathan Spector.

Brighton lost their opening Championship game at home to Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday.