Darren Randolph to the rescue

BIRMINGHAM avoided their worst start to a league campaign in 25 years thanks to a late deflected goal and their brilliant goalkeeper Darren Randolph.

Chris Burke’s equaliser in the 76th minute cancelled out Christophe Berra’s first-half header but Randolph stole the show.

The stopper, a free transfer from Motherwell, made several important saves to deny Ipswich and allowed his team to snatch a precious point.

Blues have a habit of picking up good keepers after Joe Hart, Ben Foster and more recently, Jack Butland.

Irishman Randolph may well be another shrewd acquisition.

Birmingham manager Lee Clark said: “He has made some good saves and continued his impressive start at the club. Not just with his saves but his distribution as well.

“What impressed me when I signed him was his ambition and the way he talked.

“I got a good feeling from him about the type of person he is. He’s a driven young man. We are delighted with him.”

The Tractor Boys made the most of their pressure by taking the lead on the half-hour.

A dangerous left-footed delivery from Aaron Cresswell was met at the far post by the stooping head of defender Berra.

It was Scotsman Berra’s first goal in English football, having gone four barren years at Wolves without finding the net.

Blues’ marking was non-existent and the exits of Curtis Davies and Steven Caldwell revealed a gulf in their back line.

The match continued to see chances for both teams after the break as both keepers were tested.

First, Novak’s header from Burke’s corner was saved at close range by Dean Gerken in the 50th minute.

And Ipswich went close as Luke Hyam’s shot from 20 yards was well saved low down by Randolph. Impressive left-back Cresswell unleashed a shot in the 70th minute and again Randolph was equal to it, parrying the strike away.

Ipswich should have put the game out of Birmingham’s reach with the number of shots they had on goal.

But the inspired goalkeeping of Republic of Ireland stopper Randolph kept his side in the game.

And those saves became even more precious when City scored an equaliser in the 76th minute.

Burke jinked his way around the edge of the Ipswich area and his shot was deflected in off Ryan Tunnicliffe’s boot.

Ipswich might still have snatched it after a 90th-minute penalty appeal when Bartley brought down McGoldrick.

But referee Darren Drysdale gave a borderline free-kick.

Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy said: “It feels like we’ve been beaten. We did enough to win three games there. I thought we were excellent.”

Richard Sydenham (Daily Star)