Birmingham’s six-game winning run came to and end in a goalless draw against Brighton at St Andrews.

Had Chris Hughton’s side beaten the Seasiders, it would have equalled their best running run since 1994.

But Blues, who were in action just three days ago, failed to manage a single shot on target despite 11 attempts.

Despite the disappointment, Blues remain undefeated in the last eight games and on the cusp of the play-off places.

Perhaps surprisingly, given their midweek exertions against Leeds, Hughton made just one change from the side which beat Leeds.

Wednesday’s match-winner Nikola Zigic was benched in favour of Blues 10-goal top scorer Chris Wood, who partnered Marlon King.

On the opposing side, former Blues defender Marcos Painter started, as did West Brom loanee Gonzalo Jara Reyes.

It took the home side barely 72 seconds to muster their first shot of the game as Chris Burke fired over the bar from outside the box – and it set the tone for the rest of the match.

King should have scored seven minutes later, when the ball broke to him deep inside the box after Brighton failed to clear.

But the striker fired agonisingly wide, albeit from a tight angle.

A bicycle kick attempt by Keith Fahey also drifted wide and Burke again fired over, as the home side dominated the opening 15 minutes.

At the other end, Matthew Sparrow fired a tame effort at goalkeeper Boaz Myhill with 29 minutes gone and Inigo Calderon drove a vicious effort over from distance.

But Wood missed a great chance to grab his 11th goal of the season, heading Burke’s right wing cross wide four minutes before the break.

Vincelot and Jean Beasejour were both booked late on for fouls on Stephen Carr and Jara Reyes respectively, as the half ended on a scrappy note.

Blues’ wastefulness continued, as Burke drove wide from King’s lay-off on the edge of the box 12 minutes after the re-start.

With a goalless stalemate looking increasingly likely, both managers made changes.

Hughton replaced front pairing Wood and King with Nikola Zigic and Adam Rooney, while Brighton boss Gus Poyet swapped Sparrow for Billy Paynter with 22 minutes remaining.

Craig Mackail-Smith could have snatched a win for the visitors 14 minutes from time, but dragged his angled shot wide.

Gordon Greer then headed into Myhill’s arms with 12 minutes remaining, but the header lacked power or direction.

At the other end, Zigic headed just over from close range and Beausejour did the same with a useful free-kick.

But, in the end, both sides had to settle for a point.