- Matty Jacob scored a late equaliser for Hull against Birmingham in the FA Cup
- Lukas Jutkiewicz had given Birmingham the lead in the 18th minute
- It’s about survival! FA Cup replays must remain for the good of English football – It’s All Kicking Off
Matthew Jacob scored an 87th-minute equaliser for Hull City to deny Birmingham City an FA Cup third-round victory in their first game since axing Wayne Rooney.
Blues striker Lukas Jutkiewicz connected with Cody Drameh’s right-wing cross to send a deft header past Tigers goalkeeper Ryan Allsop in the 18th minute for the opening goal.
Yet Liam Rosenior’s Tigers continued to probe and were rewarded in the closing stages when Birmingham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge parried Aaron Connolly’s cross straight to defender Jacob, who blasted home from close range to ensure a replay.
Birmingham were stuffed 3-0 at Leeds United on New Year’s Day and former England captain Rooney was shown the door less than 24 hours later.
Much-travelled former Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray is the favourite to succeed Rooney, who was axed after a disastrous tenure which harvested just two wins in 15 Championship games.
Matty Jacob celebrates after scoring a late equaliser for Hull against Birmingham
Lukas Jutkiewicz celebrates after his goal put Birmingham in the lead against Hull
Steve Spooner, pictured with Ashley Cole, took interim charge of Birmingham after Wayne Rooney was sacked
Steve Spooner is currently in caretaker charge as Birmingham look to finalise the appointment of a new boss and he conjured a decent display from the Championship strugglers.
Both teams made seven changes from their previous match and it was Birmingham who threatened first when Jutkiewicz hit a low, left-foot shot which Allsop saved at his near post.
Hull supporters taunted the travelling contingent with chants about Rooney but the visitors continued to probe and should have led inside the 13th minute.
Koji Miyoshi did well to fire the ball across the face of goal from the left flank but Jutkiewicz could only fire wide from the edge of the six-yard box.
At the other end, the Tigers fashioned a decent move which ended with Aaron Connolly firing over from the edge of the six-yard box.
Moments later, Birmingham edged in front when Drameh crossed from the right flank and Jutkiewicz nodded in superbly.
That poured confidence into the visitors and Siriki Dembele drove at the heart of Hull’s defence before blasting a fierce left-foot shot which rebounded off the underside of the crossbar.
It was a let-off for the Tigers, who are flying high in the Championship this season but struggled to create genuine goalscoring opportunities against Birmingham.
Hull manager Liam Rosenior saw his side secure an FA Cup replay with their late equaliser
Siriki Dembele of Birmingham attempts to keep the ball under pressure from Andy Smith
Birmingham’s Jay Stansfield is tracked by Jacob during the FA Cup fourth round clash
Rosenior brought on veteran former Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp for his debut in the 59th minute in a triple substitution which also saw the introduction of Ozan Tufan and Tyler Morton.
Birmingham were a lingering threat on the counter-attack but they could not make it pay and Hull finally levelled with three minutes remaining.
Connolly’s cross from the right was fumbled by Etheridge and Jacob rifled home the loose ball.
Connolly hit the bar moments later while Birmingham almost snatched a winning through substitute Jordan James, whose fierce right-foot shot was blocked as the tie ended all-square.
