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• ‘It was Gordon Banks-esque’ – Gareth Ainsworth hails John Ruddy save in QPR draw

  QPR manager Gareth Ainsworth likened John Ruddy’s late save to England great Gordon Banks as goalkeepers took centre stage in the 0-0 draw against Birmingham.

  Asmir Begovic, the former Chelsea, Bournemouth and Stoke goalkeeper, and ex-Wolves shotstopper Ruddy – both 36 – produced a string of saves as Birmingham missed the chance to climb into the Sky Bet Championship’s top six overnight.

  But Birmingam keeper Ruddy’s late stop to deny Lyndon Dykes’ downward header from Albert Adomah’s cross was the pick, after Begovic denied Scott Hogan in a one against one.

  “I thought there were some fantastic blocks from us, two magnificent saves from Asmir – the one where he came out and smothered (from Hogan) was world class, and it was,” said Ainsworth.

  “But then John Ruddy at the other end – it was Gordon Banks-esque; he put the ball up in the air and away from people.

  “When Lyndon headed it, you’re hoping it’s going into the side of the net. It was further out than I thought and a great cross and great header.

  “I’ve said Lyndon is going to get double figures this season and it’s going to be his biggest haul.

  “But when you come up against someone as good as Ruddy it’s tough to get past him – as Birmingham saw with Begovic.”

  Only a desperate, acrobatic goalline clearance from QPR midfielder Sam Field prevented Blues taking a 21st-minute lead, after Lee Buchanan’s fierce cross flicked off centre-back Steve Cook and looped over Begovic.

  Ruddy denied Paul Smyth and Field before his late heroics to prevent Dykes’ heading home, while Begovic matched him by foiling Cody Drameh, Krystian Bielik and Jay Stansfield.

  Birmingham head coach John Eustace agreed the two goalkeepers were on top in a game of chances at both ends.

  “I think that’s why John won Player of the Year last season. John’s a very good experienced goalkeeper,” he said.

  “He’ll be disappointed with a couple of goals he’s conceded this season but tonight he showed his class and that’s what top goalkeepers are all about.

  “So to not concede is also very good and very encouraging because we’ve had two very tough away games and to keep our levels of concentration in difficult moments was very pleasing.”

  Birmingham’s Hogan missed the game’s other standout chance when Begovic denied him.

  “You’d have to ask Scott (about his confidence) but what is pleasing is his workrate and his effort is still there,” said Eustace.

  “He’s still working his socks off and we have to create more chances for him as well – he can’t just be having one or two.

  “We have to create more opportunities for our front players. But Scott will score goals as long as he keeps going and keeps believing.”

• Goalkeepers on top as Birmingham and QPR play out goalless draw

  Goalkeepers John Ruddy and Asmir Begovic were the stars as Birmingham and QPR battled to a 0-0 Championship draw at St Andrew’s.

  Begovic, the former Chelsea, Bournemouth and Stoke goalkeeper, and ex-Wolves keeper Ruddy, both 36, produced a string of saves as the hosts missed the chance to climb into the top six overnight.

  QPR created the first chance when Ilias Chair crossed from the left and Sinclair Armstrong looped a header over the bar.

  Only a desperate, acrobatic goal-line clearance from QPR midfielder Sam Field prevented Blues taking a 21st-minute lead.

  Lee Buchanan’s fierce cross flicked off centre-back Steve Cook and looped over Begovic, but Field hooked the ball away, replays showing it was half over the line.

  For all Birmingham’s attacking intent, QPR forced the first save of the game when Paul Smyth cut in on his left foot and his shot from just inside the box was pushed away by Ruddy.

  Blues responded soon after when right-back Cody Drameh’s cross-shot was shovelled away at the near post by Begovic.

  The home side continued to push for the opening goal and had three efforts blocked in the box, Jay Stansfield trying his luck with a header and then a shot either side of an effort from Miyoshi.

  They then went close to taking the lead within two minutes of the restart.

  This time Krystian Bielik produced a snapshot that was kept out by a stunning one-handed save by Begovic at full stretch.

  Rangers went just as close to breaking the deadlock from the next move.

  Chair gave himself room to cross on the run after a one-two split the defence and he pulled the ball back to Field, whose side-footed effort was palmed away by Ruddy and hit Armstrong before bouncing just wide.

  Scott Hogan then missed a golden chance. The Birmingham striker had only Begovic to beat after Miyoshi put him through but sidefooted too close to the keeper.

  Stansfield forced another save from Begovic when he cut inside and fired goalward from just inside the box.

  But Ruddy produced arguably the save of the match when he tipped away Lyndon Dykes’ downward header from Albert Adomah’s cross as both sides had to settle for a point.

• Neil Warnock proud of his work as he departs Huddersfield after draw with Stoke

  Departing Huddersfield boss Neil Warnock feels he has restored the pride back into the West Yorkshire club as his reign ended with a 2-2 draw against Stoke.

  Matty Pearson put the Terriers ahead but Daniel Johnson quickly responded with Stoke’s first away goal of this Championship campaign.

  Ben Wilmot’s looping header put the visitors ahead before Jack Rudoni equalised to earn Warnock his final point.

  Four months after remarkably keeping the club in the second tier, Warnock was proud of the way his players fought back in his final game in charge.

  He said: “What we’ve done in the last six months has put the pride back into Huddersfield.

  “The fans are glad they are supporting the Terriers and I feel really proud. It has been hard work this six months.

  “I don’t think anybody thought we could do what we did last year, it was an absolute miracle. Yes, it’s come early, I did not expect to leave until Christmas or round about then. But I will look on from afar with great affection – I want them to do well.

  “I said to the lads at the end of the game that there is no reason why you don’t go and push on now and look at going up rather than looking behind you.”

  The 74-year-old is eager to continue his journey in management following his recent post.

  He added: “I’ve just loved every minute on the training ground.

  “It’s just got me going again and made me realise that my strength, you can’t get in a book. My strength is what I do with people and you look at my promotions, I’ve never had the best teams but eight great dressing rooms and every one of those players will remember my time here.”

  Stoke boss Alex Neil felt his side missed a great opportunity to pick up their first away win of the season and thinks his side’s performance warranted more than a point.

  He said: “It’s certainly two points dropped from our perspective.

  “You can’t dominate a game as much as we dominated tonight and defend as poorly as we did for both goals and that’s ultimately cost us the points.

  “I thought some of our play was as good as we’ve played since I’ve been here at times, I thought we created good chances and scored two goals.

  “I don’t feel encouraged right now. It is probably the sorest one this season because of how well we played. You understand in the Championship when you play well you need to make it count – and I thought we played well tonight.”