McLeish: no panic at City

ALEX MCLEISH insists he will not panic after 10-man Birmingham City were easily held to a goalless draw by Swansea yesterday.

Swansea, who were involved in their eighth successive draw, should have sealed a belated win but for some weak finishing from their leading marksman, Jason Scotland, who wasted three gilt-edged chances in the last half hour.

The Birmingham manager admitted: “There is no particular reason for our performance.

“My concern is that we did not play well on the day and it’s something we need to address.”

Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd fired home a late winner to maintain Cardiff’s promotion charge against 10-man Plymouth.

A strong second-half display spared Sheffield United’s blushes against rock-bottom Charlton at Bramall Lane.

Trailing to Hameur Bouazza’s 34th minute strike, two goals from Stephen Quinn, either side of a Danny Webber effort, saw them claim only their second win in eight matches.

Bristol City and Crystal Palace were involved in angry exchanges in the tunnel after Nicky Maynard gave the Robins a 1-0 win.

City boss Johnson joked: “Some of the players had handbags for Christmas and were anxious to show them off.”

The shock of the day was at Doncaster where the South Yorkshire side beat fifth-placed Burnley 2-1, while manager less Nottingham Forest moved out of the bottom three by defeating Norwich.

An ill-tempered game at Derby saw Ipswich leave with all three points thanks to Jonathan Walters’ early goal.

Derby’s Jordan Stewart was sent off in the 77th minute for serious foul play.

Sheffield Wednesday suffered a 2-0 defeat at Coventry and QPR and Watford fought out a goalless draw at Loftus Road.