Chelsea's season was in danger of hitting a new low in the day's early game when their latest defensive calamity allowed David Murphy to give Birmingham a surprise half-time lead at Stamford Bridge.
Colin Doyle also brilliantly saved a Juan Mata penalty and, although Daniel Sturridge eventually equalised, Andre Villas-Boas' side did not do enough to find a winner.
Chelsea and Birmingham will be joined in the hat for Sunday's quarter-final draw by Leicester, who stunned Norwich 2-1 at Carrow Road thanks to David Nugent's second-half strike.
Canaries captain Wes Hoolahan earlier slotted home an equaliser from the rebound after his spot-kick had been saved by Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, that goal cancelling out Sean St Ledger's opener.
There were no such worries for Everton or Bolton against Championship opposition, the top-flight clubs securing 2-0 wins over Blackpool and Millwall, respectively.
Royston Drenthe fired home in the first minute for the Toffees at Goodison Park before Denis Stracqualursi was the quickest to react in a goalmouth scramble to double their lead five minutes later. Kevin Phillips missed a late penalty for the Tangerines.
Bolton appeared to enjoy the distraction of the cup as they clinched their place in the quarter-finals at the New Den.
Arsenal loanee Ryo Miyaichi showed strength, speed and great composure to curl the ball into the far corner in the fourth minute and David Ngog gave them breathing space with a second goal just before the hour.
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