Birmingham
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6 |
Ridgewell
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On The Bench
Cardiff
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4 |
Rae G
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|
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3 |
Kennedy
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On The Bench
The midfielder, on loan from West Ham until the end of the season, smashed the ball into the top corner from eight yards after the visitors had twice failed to clear their lines inside the penalty area.
In truth, the late heartbreak was harsh on Cardiff who were probably worth the three points on the overall balance of play against a Blues side who started brightly but failed to show enough quality throughout and did not really test goalkeeper Peter Enckelman.
Joe Ledley's sublime second-half volley looked to have won it for the Bluebirds.
The Wales midfielder connected with Radhi Jaidi's half-cleared header from just inside the area and let fly with a powerful angled strike that flew into the top corner and left Maik Taylor with no chance.
The point extended Cardiff's unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions, while it kept Blues in touch with the race for automatic promotion from the Championship.
Alex McLeish made six changes to his Blues XI from the side knocked out of the FA Cup in midweek with January signings Bowyer, Scott Sinclair and Hameur Bouazza all making their debuts.
Cardiff boss Dave Jones, however, kept faith with the same side that beat Reading in the cup two weeks ago.
Visiting keeper Enckelman received a rousing reception from the home crowd prior to kick-off as he made his first start at St Andrew's since his infamous howler playing for Aston Villa in 2002 when he let a throw-in from team-mate Olof Mellberg trickle under his foot and in to the net.
And his nerves were tested from the off as McLeish's new-look Blues side attacked from the first whistle.
Kevin McNaughton appeared to block the lively Bouzza's left-wing cross with his hand inside the opening minute although nothing was given, before Cameron Jerome twice came close to breaking the deadlock.
Taylor had to be alert to tip Jay Bothroyd's powerful strike over the bar at the other end before Paul Parry prodded inches wide in an exciting start to the encounter.
Both sides continued to attack at pace and Ledley was guilty of blazing a good chance over from the edge of the area after 20 minutes.
Cardiff hustled and kept the ball well as the half wore on but the threat both sides showed in the final third slowly disappeared.
Jaidi looked to receive an elbow to the face in the penalty area during the closing stages of the half but referee Michael Jones waved away the protests.
There was a fairly low-key start to the second half with neither side troubling the scoreline.
But all that should have changed 10 minutes into the second half as substitute Chris Burke, making his debut for the Bluebirds, burst clear through on goal after Ledley's pass.
Yet a combination of keeper and defence came to Blues' rescue.
Nevertheless, Cardiff took the lead they deserved on the overall balance of play just minutes later.
Burke whipped a cross in from the right and Jaidi could only half clear to Ledley who finished in style.
Blues had to take the game to their opponents and Lee Carsley's turn and snap-shot forced Enckelman into a fine save midway through the second half.
But the home side were not doing enough to find a way back into the game as the encounter went into the final 15 minutes.
Bowyer, though, popped up in the right place at the right time to snatch a share of the spoils for the hosts in dramatic style.
