Darren Carter's equaliser eased Birmingham's relegation worries in a poor game at St Andrews. After a low-key first half, Stephen Kelly broke the deadlock with his first goal for Spurs following a fine through-ball from Michael Carrick.

Carter poked home 25 minutes from time after some careless play by Spurs on the edge of their own penalty area.

And Clinton Morrison should have won the game for the home side in the dying seconds but flashed a volley wide.

Birmingham had the first chance of the game on eight minutes, Emile Heskey nodding down for Walter Pandiani to swivel and blaze wide.

Spurs created their first opening two minutes later, Jermain Defoe looping a header over Maik Taylor from a fine Fredi Kanoute cross only for Jamie Clapham to clear off the line.

On 13 minutes, Spurs' Noe Pamarot was stretchered off following an innocuous challenge and replaced by Kelly.

Two minutes later Heskey linked up with Jermaine Pennant, back in the Blues line-up following a stint in prison, but dragged his shot wide.

Spurs picked up the tempo midway through the first half, Defoe having a shot blocked by Kenny Cunningham when through on goal and Andy Reid just curling wide from the rebound.

And Defoe pounced on another Kanoute flick-on after 30 minutes but flashed over from 10 yards out.

Birmingham started the second half with more intent, Mario Melchiot blasting across the face of goal when a simple ball to feet might have sufficed.

Pennant played well on his comeback and was given a standing ovation by the home contingent when he was substituted after 55 minutes.

However, it was Spurs' Kelly who broke the deadlock on 59 minutes, the young Irish defender taking a sublime Carrick through-ball on his chest to slot his maiden goal.

The goal sparked a reaction from the home side and Pandiani headed wide soon after before Carter shot over.

And it was Carter who equalised on 66 minutes, capitalising on some careless play by the visitors on the edge of their own box and poking the ball past Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

Birmingham keeper Maik Taylor produced a fine double save from substitute Mido and Kanoute 15 minutes from time.

And substitute Morrison should have won the game for Birmingham in the dying seconds but blazed a clear volley wide of Robinson's upright.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce: "Everyone's seen Jermaine playing with a tag, now let's let him get on with resurrecting his career. "A draw was a fair result. Maik Taylor produced two fantastic saves for us and Clinton Morrison could have nicked it for us. Overall I'm delighted.

"We've got seven games to go and we want to finish 10th like we did last year. That's the challenge."