Ten-man Birmingham City laboured to a 0-0 draw against Cardiff City in this afternoon's Championship clash at St Andrew's to maintain new manager Gary Rowett's unbeaten record.

The first shot on target came from Anthony Pilkington in the 12th minute for the visitors, but Darren Randolph was able to get down well to save.

Just three minutes later, the Blues goalkeeper had to be alert again to thwart Adam le Fondre with his legs following the 27-year-old's foray from the left flank.

Cardiff continued to bear down on goal, with ex-Manchester United striker Federico Macheda marauding down the left and striking an effort which deflected off Paul Robinson, but this failed to beat Randolph.

Eventually, the hosts were able to force an effort on goal just before the half-hour mark when David Cotterill's low free kick from 30 yards out forced goalkeeper David Marshall into action.

The action livened up somewhat in the latter stages of the half, with Cotterill hooking a 25-yard free kick just wide of the left post and, at the other end, Macheda drawing a skilful save out of Randolph.

The Italian striker then managed to get the ball into the home side's net just five minutes after the restart, but this was judged by the referee to be offside, while Birmingham also thought that they had scored following Wes Thomas's close-range prod from Demarai Gray's pass minutes later, this also being chalked off.

Birmingham found themselves down to ten men in the 90th minute when Thomas was sent off for an off-the-ball incident with Sean Morrison, but this didn't affect the imminent result, as the final whistle confirmed the goalless draw minutes later.