10-man Birmingham go through

Birmingham 2 Newcastle 2

Sebastian Larsson earned 10-man Birmingham an FA Cup third round replay with a late equaliser against Glenn Roeder’s injury-ravaged Newcastle at St Andrews.

The on-loan Arsenal player, who is on the verge of completing a permanent move to Birmingham, hooked the ball home from close range with just four minutes remaining.

Blues had been reduced to 10 men when defender Radhi Jaidi was sent off shortly before half-time for a professional foul.

And goals from Steven Taylor and Kieron Dyer – his third in five games - looked to have earned Newcastle victory after they had recovered from an early strike by Dudley Campbell before Larsson struck.

Roeder will be delighted with the performance of his inexperienced side – they finished with five Academy players on the pitch – after being without the services of 14 senior players through injury and the suspended Scott Parker.

Their character was put to the test when City went ahead through Campbell who had played for non-League Yeading against Newcastle in the competition two years ago.

But Roeder’s rookies showed they were up to the challenge, although the dismissal of Blues defender Jaidi shortly before half-time for a professional foul helped their cause.

The experienced Nicky Butt, who spent last season on loan at St Andrews, also produced when Roeder needed it most with a combative display in midfield.

James Milner again impressed on the flanks and Steven Taylor was a key player in defence only for Larsson to force a replay.

Birmingham’s priority is gaining promotion back to the Barclays Premiership and they paid a high price for their efforts with full-back Stephen Kelly and striker Nicklas Bendtner suffering serious-looking injuries.

Skipper Damien Johnson epitomised the determination shown by Bruce’s side with an all-action performance in the centre of the park.

The magic of the FA Cup had apparently bypassed the Birmingham fans with thousands of empty seats – a sharp contrast to the 4,000 travelling following from Newcastle.

Newcastle made a positive start in the rainswept conditions on a pitch which will be dug up and relaid tomorrow.

But after 15 minutes Birmingham went ahead through Campbell whose two goals for Brentford had knocked Sunderland out of the competition at the same stage last season.

Larsson’s inswinging corner was met at the far post by Matthew Upson who climbed above David Edgar to head back across goal to Campbell who poked the ball home with his left foot.

Gary McShefrey was only inches wide with a curling free-kick after Paul Huntington had brought down Campbell just outside the area.

Newcastle put together the best move of the game with Nolberto Solano, Milner and Dyer prominent before a shot on the turn from Obafemi Martins flew straight at Maik Taylor.

Birmingham were forced into a change when defender Kelly limped out of the action with a torn calf muscle and he was replaced by Martin Taylor.

City nearly doubled their lead when Bendtner got to the by-line before picking out Fabrice Muamba whose shot was cleared off the line by Steven Taylor.

In the 40th minute Newcastle drew level when no-one picked up the run of Steven Taylor to the near post and he prodded home Milner’s free-kick for his third goal of the season.

City were reduced to 10 men after 42 minutes when Jaidi brought down Martins inches outside the penalty area following a long clearance from Solano. Maik Taylor did well to cling onto the resulting free-kick from Milner.

Both sides made a half-time switch with Birmingham midfielder Neil Danns replacing Campbell and Newcastle winger Alan O’Brien taking over from Antoine Sibierski.

Milner came close to putting Newcastle ahead when his free-kick rattled against the underside of the bar and then bounced down and off Maik Taylor out for a corner

With their numerical advantage, Newcastle started to turn the screw and they went ahead after 54 minutes through Dyer’s third goal in the last five games.

Martins’ pass appeared to slide under the foot of Upson to allow Dyer a clear run at goal and he drilled his shot past Maik Taylor into the corner of the net.

City had a chance to instantly retaliate when a low drive from McSheffrey was blocked by the legs of Shay Given.

Martins could have doubled Newcastle’s lead after turning past Upson but he feigned to shoot and Maik Taylor was able to grab the ball off his toes.

But Birmingham were still in the cup tie and Given went down low to his left to cling onto a low drive from McSheffrey.

Bendtner was stretchered off when he appeared to catch his foot in a divot and he was replaced by Neil Kilkenny.

With four minutes left Larsson forced a replay when he hooked the ball home from close range after Danns had flicked on a Johnson cross.