Last updated on .From the section Football

Matt Ritchie's first-half goal was disallowed by referee Simon Hooper

Newcastle moved a point clear at the Championship summit despite being held to a goalless draw at Birmingham City.

Matt Ritchie nearly opened the scoring in the first half when he beat Blues keeper Tomasz Kuszczak, but Ryan Shotton got back to clear.

Ritchie had a goal ruled out for offside and Kuszczak saved from Dwight Gayle's header as Newcastle dominated.

Kuszczak made a low stop to deny Ritchie, while Lukas Jutkiewicz had Blues' only shot on target late on.

Jutkiewicz also fired wide twice from good positions for the hosts, while Craig Gardner had a shot deflected wide from long range.

Blues boss Gianfranco Zola brought on Clayton Donaldson in the last five minutes after three months out with an Achilles injury, but the striker could not produce a breakthrough.

The result took Newcastle one point above Brighton, who lost to Leeds on Saturday evening.

Birmingham remain five points above the relegation zone, having failed to win in four games.

Birmingham manager Gianfranco Zola:

"The commitment and desire not to give anything away was top class. I was pleased with the performance and at the present moment this is what is required.

"Considering our situation and the value of the opposition it was a good result.

"Personally, I am under pressure but this result is encouraging to build on what is a very small platform. We need to carry on and make it bigger."

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez:

"People may expect us to win every away game but this was a valuable away point. It is important to learn how to manage games and we are in a better position after every match.

"We maintained a high tempo as we were aware of how Birmingham could play in these circumstances.

"There are still eight matches to be played and as Huddersfield lost we are now in a better position than we were before the game."