Maik Taylor lamented his mistake that cost Birmingham City at least a draw against Everton on Saturday but the goalkeeper is concerned that a lack of goals could be putting the defenders under pressure.

Taylor allowed a longrange shot by Simon Davies to skid into the goal when a save seemed a more likely outcome. The 1-0 defeat means that Birmingham slip into the bottom two of the Premiership table and ensure what Taylor calls "a long, hard winter ahead".

"Possibly the defence is under pressure because of the lack of goals. But today was just a mistake. Generally, we defended really well. I hold my hand up to the goal," said Taylor.

"I tried to catch it on the bounce and turn it around and it just bounced off my hand. It's one of those things. You've got to get on with it.

"It is going to be a long hard winter. It is going to be difficult until the end of the season but we are determined to turn it around.

"We showed signs there in the second half but we need to start games in the same way. Too often we have come out and donated second halves. We need to come out and start in the same vein and create more chances and put them under more pressure. We had a lot of possession but without really creating too much.

"It's down to the players now. The manager and the coaching staff do their bit. It is down to players to turn it around. We are responsible."

Birmingham might have secured a point had a shot by Neil Kilkenny, Birmingham's best player, registered a goal rather than hit the inside of the post. The young midfield player has impressed Taylor with his hunger and determination.

"Neil Kilkenny is a very promising young lad," Taylor said. "He has got no fear and he wants to get on the ball all the time and show his qualities. He did very well for us.

"It is difficult for him coming into a side that is not getting results. He has done fantastically well, handled himself really well and he is going to be a big player for us."

For Kilkenny, who replaced Nicky Butt in the first half and was easily Birmingham's most accomplished player, it was a day of mixed emotions.

He relished the opportunity to gain more Premiership experience, and he provided Birmingham with their best moment when his shot struck the post, but overall he is disappointed with the result.

"It was nice to get on again so early; hopefully I can get into the team now," he said.

He also said he appreciated the support of the Blues fans and urged them to remain patient with the players.

"I don't think they should get on the backs of the players. They are trying their hardest. They are having a bit of bad luck at the moment but hopefully we can get back to winning ways.

"I thought my free-kick was in. I was ready to run off celebrating but I saw it trickle out so I was a bit gutted. But that is football.

"The gaffer always tells me just to go out and play my normal game. I like to look for the killer pass all the time. Sometimes people have a go at me for trying to play too much. Sometimes in football you have to take those risks to get the chances."