Che Adams on the mark to earn Birmingham a win against Bristol City
Birmingham increased their unbeaten home run to seven games with a narrow 1-0 Sky Bet Championship over Bristol City.
After being on the ropes for much of the second half Birmingham were indebted to an 81st-minute winning goal from Che Adams.
Bristol City were redoubtable opponants but this latest setback means they have now won only once in their last eight games on the road.
Birmingham had to battle the entire game and finished with 10 when Jonathan Spector was sent off for a reckless tackle in the 87th minute.
Lee Johnson's young Bristol side had every reason to feel hard done by with the end result as they displayed some pleasing attacking play with Jamie Paterson and Tammy Abraham catching the eye.
Bobby Reid also impressed with some neat touches to keep Birmingham's defence up to scratch.
Bristol's commitment to attack, however, very nearly cost them am dearly goal
Birmingham broke quickly and a delightful through pass from Maikel Kieftenbeld put Clayton Donaldson racing clear.
The striker spotted the opening and his low shot cannoned back off the back before a frantic Robins defence were able to regroup and clear their lines.
Bristol's response came almost immediately with Abraham demonstrating his potential danger with a well-directed header from Joe Bryan's corner.
Fortunately for Birmingham goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak was alive to the goalbound effort and flicked the ball over the bar.
In a fast, open game, goal opportunities were rife with David Davis going close to opening Birmingham's account with a low raking drive which whistled just wide of the post.
Kieftenbeld then had his effort blocked by Hordur Magnusson as the Robins retreated in numbers to bolster a defensive blockade.
Another chance went begging when Lukas Jutkiewicz headed wide from Dave Cotterill's right-wing cross as Birmingham struggled to break Bristol City's spirited resistance.
It was Bristol City who had more momentum at the start of the second half when Abraham jinked his way forward before slipping a pass into the path of Marlon Pack who fired in a rising shot which Kuszczak flicked over the bar.
In a game of goal opportunities it was Adam Flint who came to Bristol's rescue to keep out another Jutkiewicz effort, while goalkeeper Frank Fielding had to make a goalline save to thwart Birmingham.
But it was Bristol City who mounted a concentrated attacking spell in an attempt to break the stalemate.
They had Birmingham reeling and even Bryan was able to move forward to test the over-worked Kuszczak.
This pressure resulted in Birmingham making a double substitution sending on Adams and Jacques Maghoma in effort to ease the pressure and to find some attack rhythm.
There was little respite for Birmingham in this period as demonstrated in the 78th minute when Lee Tomlin rocked the cross bar with his free-kick.
Against the run of play Birmingham snatched the game out of the fire
A corner on the right was headed by Adams
The effort was blocked but Adams determinedly followed up to force the ball home.
Source : PA
Source: PA