Goalless finish at Loftus Road

Fulham 0 Birmingham 0

Birmingham's Champions League dreams were dented at Loftus Road today as Steve Bruce's Blues faltered in another bruising encounter with Fulham.

The St Andrews side, battling Newcastle and Liverpool for fourth place, looked a shadow of the team who demolished Leeds 4-1 last weekend and were lucky to escape with a goalless draw.

It leaves the West Midlands side struggling to qualify for Europe's top club competition but, on this evidence, they could earn a spot in the UEFA Cup.

Referee Mike Riley was the busiest man in west London as he dished out six bookings - taking the tally from the last four league matches between these sides to 23 yellow cards and five reds.

Robbie Savage was, as so often in Birmingham's memorable season, at the heart of the good things they did do today.

The Welsh international, at the centre of controversy on Wednesday when he was involved in a confrontation with Hungary boss Lothar Matthaus, was back from suspension and smashed a fourth-minute drive against the crossbar.

But that was as good as it got for the visitors and it was Maik Taylor, the Blues' former Fulham `keeper who has just made his move to St Andrews permanent in a £1.5m (€2.3m) deal, who was the star for the visitors.

He made three brilliant first-half saves to deny Barry Hayles, Steed Malbranque and Luis Boa Morte.

Fulham remained on top in an uneventful second half and kept a lid on the dangerous Mikael Forssell, the on-loan Chelsea striker whose 18 goals this season make him more prolific than most at Stamford Bridge.

A point apiece revives the Cottagers' hopes of bettering their best ever league finish - 10th back in 1960 - and leaves Birmingham focusing their efforts on qualifying for the UEFA Cup.

Fulham's Martin Djetou had the game's first shot - but his right-foot effort was an absolutely shocking attempt and ballooned into the upper tier 20 yards wide of the target.

Savage went much closer at the other end with four minutes on the clock, robbing Moritz Volz and smashing a ferocious 22-yard drive against the face of the crossbar with Edwin van der Sar beaten.

Blues defender Martin Grainger was left sporting a black eye and badly-bruised eye socket after a clash with Hayles.

Only heroics from Taylor prevented the Londoners going in front in the 18th minute.

Hayles rose to meet Sean Davis' free-kick and power a header goalwards - which Taylor brilliantly parried. Djetou headed wide when Sylvain Legwinski chipped the ball back across goal.

Grainger was left in a heap again by a crunching Legwinski tackle which prompted angry remonstrations by Savage and Steve Bruce with referee Mike Riley. Grainger was substituted before the break.

Clinton Morrison had two sights of goal as half-time approached but blazed his first shot high and wide and completely missed the ball with his second chance.

Fulham showed greater accuracy in attack seven minutes before the break but were thwarted by brilliant Blues defending.

Taylor parried Malbranque's fierce drive and then leapt to his feet to save Boa Morte's effort on the rebound - and Matthew Upson blocked Malbranque's follow-up shot.

There was plenty of niggle in this contest and a flashpoint came four minutes after the break.

Savage bundled over Malbranque, who responded by flicking a boot at the Welshman - who seized his French opponent by the scruff of his neck. Both were booked for their actions.

Forssell's angled shot was charged down by Carlos Bocanegra as the Blues tried to break the deadlock.

The impetus and needle in this contest had faded markedly, although Fulham remained on top as an uneventful second half unfolded.

Referee Wiley turned down a penalty appeal when Boa Morte stumbled after Stan Lazaridis' half-challenge.

Chris Coleman threw centre-back Ian Pearce on as a makeshift striker late on but his only contribution was a weak shot which trickled into Taylor's grasp.

Bryan Hughes curled a shot wide late on as both sides had to settle for a point.