Hull City's ambitions of securing a Championship play-off spot suffered a setback as Birmingham City staged a late comeback to earn a 1-1 draw at the MKM Stadium. The hosts had taken the lead through Joe Gelhardt's 14th goal of the season in the 24th minute, but Tomoki Iwata's stunning long-range strike 13 minutes from time denied them a crucial win.
The result extends Hull's winless run to four league games, leaving them two points ahead of seventh-placed Wrexham with three matches remaining. Gelhardt's goal had given Hull hope of completing a league double over Birmingham, but Iwata's equalizer ensured the visitors returned home with a point. Despite creating several scoring opportunities, Hull were unable to find a winner, with defender Semi Ajayi missing a close-range chance in stoppage time.
The draw marks a significant blow to Hull's play-off aspirations, and manager Sergej Jakirovic acknowledged the need for his team to be brave in their pursuit of a top-six finish. Meanwhile, Birmingham boss Chris Davies expressed his satisfaction with the point, citing his team's resilience and character in the face of adversity. The match was marked by few clear-cut chances, with both teams struggling to create scoring opportunities on a dry pitch that hindered slick passing football.
Iwata's goal was a rare moment of quality, with the Japanese midfielder unleashing a powerful shot that flew into the top corner. The result leaves Hull with work to do to secure a play-off spot, while Birmingham can take heart from their performance and the valuable point gained on the road.