Hull City saw their Championship play‑off aspirations take a hit when Birmingham City fought back to secure a 1-1 draw at the MKM Stadium, thanks to a dramatic late equaliser from Japanese midfielder Tomoki Iwata. The Tigers had seemed poised to collect three points and solidify their hold on sixth place after forward Joe Gelhardt netted his 14th league goal of the season midway through the first half.
Gelhardt’s strike, a low left‑footed drive from about 15 yards that curled into the bottom corner after a deflection off defender Phil Neumann, gave Hull an early advantage and appeared to set the tone for a comfortable win. However, the match turned on its head in the closing stages. With just 13 minutes remaining, Iwata unleashed a powerful, long‑range effort that flew into the top corner, leaving Hull goalkeeper Ivor Pandur with no chance.
The goal not only levelled the score but also dented Hull’s momentum as they chased a play‑off spot. In the dying moments, defender Semi Ajayi had a golden opportunity to snatch victory for Hull, blasting a close‑range effort wide as the clock ticked into stoppage time.
The draw marks Hull’s fourth league game without a win, the poorest run of form they have endured all season. Manager Sergej Jakirovic’s side now sit two points ahead of Wrexham in seventh place, with both clubs still having three matches left to complete their campaigns. The result also ends Hull’s brief resurgence after they had previously broken Birmingham’s long unbeaten home run with a thrilling 3-2 victory at St Andrew’s in October, a match in which Gelhardt’s 24th‑minute goal had sparked hopes of a league double over Chris Davies’ mid‑table side. In the opening half, Hull’s attack came alive when Liam Millar surged down the left wing and delivered a cross that was intercepted by Birmingham defender Carlos Vicente inside the penalty area.
The ball fell kindly to Gelhardt, who turned swiftly and struck a crisp, angled shot that found the net after the deflection. This early lead gave Hull confidence, but Birmingham soon began to press. Birmingham’s England Under‑21 keeper James Beadle initially struggled with a long throw from Mohamed Belloumi that landed in the six‑yard box, but he quickly recovered, making a crucial save from Oli McBurnie’s close‑range effort.
The Blues, however, remained largely anonymous in attack before the break, only creating a genuine threat when Ibrahim Osman headed a Jay Stansfield cross over the bar. The second half saw a similar pattern: Hull dominated possession while Birmingham looked to hit on the counter‑attack. Substitute Demarai Gray forced a low, powerful shot from distance that required a smart save from Pandur. As the game wore on, Hull failed to clear a dangerous ball, giving Iwata the time and space to unleash his third‑season goal from about 25 yards, a strike that rattled the net and sent the home crowd into a brief frenzy.
Ajayi’s miss shortly after and Beadle’s later save from a stoppage‑time free‑kick by McBurnie preserved Birmingham’s point and snapped their four‑game road losing streak. After the final whistle, both managers reflected on the outcome. Jakirovic admitted the disappointment of dropping points from a winning position, highlighting injury problems and the need for bravery in the remaining three fixtures. He stressed that Hull must aim to secure three points in each of their final games to keep play‑off hopes alive.
Chris Davies, Birmingham’s boss, praised his side’s resilience, noting that they deserved the point and showed character after falling behind. He highlighted the team’s pressing, the dry pitch that hampered slick passing, and Iwata’s extraordinary effort, which he described as travelling at an estimated 100 miles per hour. Looking ahead, Hull will need to address their recent winless streak, improve defensive solidity, and find ways to convert dominance into goals. Their next opponents will test whether they can rebound and maintain the narrow margin over Wrexham and Derby County.
Meanwhile, Birmingham will aim to build on the momentum of this draw, hoping to turn their road form around as the season draws to a close. Off the pitch, fans can still engage with the action through the Sky Sports app and the NOW service, while a £250,000 Super 6 prize remains on offer for those entering before the Saturday deadline.