PHIL JAGIELKA rued a “missed opportunity” as Everton threw away the chance to close in the European qualification places.

David Moyes’s side surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at near rivals Birmingham City on Saturday.

Victor Anichebe and Yakubu netted during the first quarter before Cameron Jerome pulled a goal back for the visitors, who then equalised shortly after half-time with a Craig Gardner strike.

It means Everton remain six points off sixth place – currently the last Europa League berth – and two points behind eighth-placed Birmingham City with only nine games to play.

And Jagielka said: “We are frustrated with the goals we conceded and it knocked the stuffing out of us a little bit. It is a missed opportunity.

“We came here and needed to lay down a marker and hope results would go our way.

“As it was, a draw is not the worst of results here, a lot of teams have been beaten here but we are running out of games and we need to pick up three points.

“We did start the season slowly. Maybe realistically we were never really going to be pushing for the European places.

“But the boys have had some fantastic results which has catapulted us back up the league and put those sort of ideas back in people’s heads.

“I think the gaffer wants to push on as far as we can this season. And next season I think we have a strong squad now and people are going to start laying claim to those positions.”

Jagielka made only his second start since returning from more than 10 months out with a serious cruciate ligament injury.