Birmingham City 2-2 Preston: Gary Rowett and Simon Grayson reaction

Birmingham manager Gary Rowett severely criticised his players after the Blues were held to a 2-2 home draw by Preston in the Sky Championship.

Blues had been in control after two goals from striker Clayton Donaldson but Preston hit back to salvage a point with two second half strikes.

A bitterly disappointed Rowett said: "I am frustrated and disappointed and these are the calmest words I can use.

"We got ourselves into a 2-0 lead and the game was won at that point but we then stopped doing things we needed to do to win the game.

"I have told the players that the last 15 minutes was one of the weakest I've seen in a game. It probably sums up our season since March when we need to be tougher, more professional and more disciplined.

"We can have a shake-up because if that is the level of performance that people are happy with as a top 10 side I am certainly not happy.

"I will make sure that I will not have players in the team who are happy with that kind of performance.

"Full credit to Preston. They were strong and wanted to test us.

"It was a mediocre end of season performance but it should have been a game we should have gone on and won comfortably."

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Preston take the plaudits for their determination to get back into the game after trailing by Donaldson's goals and were worthy of only their second point from the last four games.

Birmingham, who had only themselves to blame, took a late battering as Preston staged a great comeback to salvage a draw which had seemingly been out of their grasp.

Alan Browne inspired a spirited revival with a 73rd minute strike and in a frantic finish Greg Cunningham grabbed a dramatic 89th minute equaliser after Preston had twice hit the woodwork.

Preston manager Simon Grayson was quietly pleased with his side's performance.

He said: "It was a big kick in the teeth to go two goals down when we had not done anything wrong in that period of time.

"We showed fantastic character to get back in the game and it was the right result when you see the number of saves Tomasz Kuszczak had to make and the times we hit the post.

"Full credit to the players and the character and spirit they showed after coming back from two goals down.

"We want to maintain where we are in the league and not drop out of the top 10 position where we are at present.

"We are now looking to a good home game against Burnley when I hope that we can get all three points."