Blackburn 1-1 Birmingham

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Birmingham substitute Stern John cancelled out Andy Cole's 11th goal of the season as the Blues shared an end-of-term draw with Blackburn.

John headed home Damien Johnson's cross on 83 minutes to rescue a point for Birmingham after Cole struck midway through the first half.

Birmingham dominated after Cole's goal and went close several times.

But Rovers forced keeper Maik Taylor into a string of second-half saves before John struck.

Birmingham came out of the blocks the fastest with skipper Robbie Savage orchestrating proceedings early on.

Stan Lazaridis and Mikael Forssell were unable to make the most of two half-chances for the Blues and their failure to score was punished by Rovers on 24 minutes.

KEY MOMENTS 24 mins: Andy Cole scores for Blackburn 83 mins: Stern John equalises for Birmingham

Turkish international Tugay fed Cole from the left and the striker fired past Birmingham keeper Taylor from 18 yards.

But the visitors were undeterred and surged back into the game, going close a handful of times before the break.

First, Stephen Clemence shot into the arms of Blackburn keeper Peter Enckelman from close range after Clinton Morrison's header had rebounded off the bar.

On 38 minutes, Johnson saw his shot saved by the feet of Enckelman before Forssell nodded his second header wide moments later.

Overall a very pleasing season and an improvement over last year. Way to go Steve B and the rest of the boys in Blue! From Canadian Brummie Have your say on 606

But the interval revived Blackburn and Taylor found himself coming under increasing pressure as the half wore on.

Left-back Michael Gray, Cole again and Tugay all troubled the gloveman before Birmingham's Morrison tried his luck, equally without success, at the other end.

Rovers' Jon Stead also tried in vain with a couple of efforts within two minutes of each other but it was Trinidad and Tobago's John, a 59th-minute replacement, who ensured neither side went into the summer on a losing streak.

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Blackburn: Enckelman, Reid (Neill 45), Short, Johansson, Gray (Gallagher 88), Flitcroft, Tugay, Andresen (Emerton 45), Douglas, Cole, Stead.
Subs Not Used: Jansen, Yelldell.

Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Tebily (John 60), Martin Taylor, Upson, Clapham, Johnson, Savage, Clemence (Hughes 57), Lazaridis, Morrison, Forssell.
Subs Not Used: Cunningham, Cisse, Bennett.

Attendance: 26,070.

Referee: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).