BIRMINGHAM earned a precious point in their battle against relegation after a dour stalemate at Everton.

Steve Bruce's side were second-best for most of a desperately poor game, but restricted Everton to few chances. Maik Taylor saved well from Leon Osman and David Weir, while James Beattie had a close-range effort ruled out for offside after 54 minutes. Birmingham's Jermaine Pennant had a snap shot wide early on, but a point suited his side.

The visitors were lifted when Pennant and Emile Heskey passed late fitness tests - leaving Mikael Forssell on the bench after his late winner against Blackburn.

And Pennant almost gave Birmingham the perfect start, but his volley was narrowly off target. But Everton were dominant for most of the first-half, with Phil Neville shooting just wide and Leon Osman seeing a 20-yard drive turned over the top by Taylor.

Everton were forced into a change at half-time when Tim Cahill limped off with a knee injury. Beattie had a goal ruled out for offside after 54 minutes when he turned in from close-range after Taylor had saved Osman's shot. He then came to his side's rescue again, saving from Weir.

Both sides made changes after 67 minutes, with Duncan Ferguson replacing Andy van der Meyde and Birmingham sending on Forssell and DJ Campbell for Heskey and Pennant. But the game just petered out into a tame draw, with Everton unable to produce any real quality and Birmingham showing a surprising lack of urgency given their desperate plight.