Champions Birmingham unable to find a way past Crawley

Sky Bet League One champions Birmingham failed to put their Vertu Trophy sorrows behind them in a 0-0 draw against Crawley Town at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park on Friday.

Birmingham started off strong as Jay Stansfield’s wayward volley was saved by Toby Steward in the first minute. He looked to correct his mistakes three minutes later, but could only hit the near post for Birmingham’s best chance of the match.

Chris Davies’ side were looking to bounce back from the unexpected loss to Peterborough in the Vertu Trophy final at Wembley last Sunday, and although they created plenty of chances, the end product was missing.

Crawley’s best chance of the game came in the 79th minute when Gavan Holohan was played through on goal, but his tame effort was not able to trouble Ryan Allsop too much.

Stansfield twisted and turned outside the Reds’ box before putting in a cross at the far post for Taylor Gardner-Hickman in the final minute, whose outstretched leg failed to direct it goalwards.