Birmingham midfielder Tomoki Iwata's stunning long-range goal 13 minutes from time denied Hull City a crucial win, leaving their Championship play-off hopes in jeopardy after a 1-1 draw at the MKM Stadium. Joe Gelhardt had given Hull the lead midway through the first half with his 14th goal of the season, but Iwata's equalizer ensured Birmingham earned a point. The result means Hull have now gone four league games without a win, their worst run of the season, and they remain just two points ahead of seventh-placed Wrexham with three games left to play. The Tigers had taken the lead when Liam Millar's run down the left was halted by Carlos Vicente, but the ball fell to Gelhardt, who turned and fired a crisp, angled drive into the bottom corner with the help of a deflection off defender Phil Neumann.
Despite dominating possession, Hull failed to capitalize on their advantage, and Birmingham grew into the game, eventually equalizing through Iwata's memorable strike. The draw was a significant result for both teams, with Hull's manager, Sergej Jakirovic, acknowledging the need for bravery in the face of adversity, while Birmingham's Chris Davies praised his team's resilience and commitment.
The outcome has significant implications for the play-off race, with Hull, Wrexham, and Derby all vying for a spot in the top six.