Birmingham boss Alex McLeish felt his side had enough clear cut opportunities to win the derby against Aston Villa rather than settle for a 1-1 draw at St Andrews. The Blues chief was also bemoaning another penalty claim, this time rejected by referee Mark Clattenburg.
McLeish said: "It was probably a fair result overall. We have come a long way in a couple of years in terms of these derby games and the results.
"Had we been a bit more clinical at 1-0, we would have seen it through.
"Craig Gardner had a wonderful chance with a volley which he put wide and he is a guy you would normally want and trust in that situation.
"Brad Friedel also made a great save at that point from Matt Derbyshire and we had the chance to turn the screw.
"But we allowed Villa to come back into it, and gave away a few unnecessary free-kicks and I was disappointed with the build-up to their equaliser.
"But the shot from Collins was not even on target before it hit someone and was deflected in."
McLeish felt his side again had a strong case for a spot kick when Marc Albrighton caught the legs of Birmingham full-back David Murphy.
McLeish said: "I don't even claim for those now. I've got to be dignified after a game and the referee has got a tough job.
"But their guy (Albrighton) has caught the legs of our guy (Murphy) and I've certainly seen those given against us."
McLeish is still waiting to find out whether he will be successful in his pursuit of Rangers striker Kenny Miller and Tottenham forward Robbie Keane.
He said: "With Keane, it is in the early stages and we will see what happens. With Miller, we are now waiting on an answer."
