Birmingham teenager Jordan James scores first senior goal in Stoke draw

Birmingham teenager Jordan James scored his first senior goal as the Blues earned a 2-2 draw away to Stoke.

The 17-year-old struck after just 12 minutes to put the visitors ahead but Stoke hit back to lead through two goals from Tyrese Campbell either side of half-time.

Gary Gardner quickly drew Birmingham level again and defences came out on top after that as the spoils were shared.

The Blues, without a league win on their travels since October, nearly opened the scoring inside two minutes after a frenetic start to the fixture.

An in-form Lyle Taylor, who had scored three goals in four games since his loan move from Nottingham Forest, saw a powerful effort from an acute angle strike the foot of the post.

The hosts also had an early opportunity to secure a dream start when Campbell’s cutback found the onrushing Sam Clucas in acres of space, only for the midfielder to balloon his shot wildly over the target. 

Stoke goalkeeper Joe Bursik was nearly caught off-guard by a venomous Taylor strike from range, but the England Under-21 international was equal to it.

Buoyed on by a 2,067-strong travelling support, Birmingham then secured an opening goal that their lively start deserved with only 12 minutes on the clock.

After Ben Wilmot’s slack pass was intercepted, Onel Hernandez raced to the by-line before teeing up youngster James, who was in the right place at the right time to convert.

However, as the Potters gradually grew into the match, the visitors’ advantage looked less secure by the passing minute and their resistance was broken midway through the half in bizarre circumstances.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ hopeful lofted through-ball found Campbell after he sprung the offside trap, with the forward’s miscontrolled first touch