However, the Blues boss revealed that the vital three points had come at the expense of more injuries as Muzzy Izzet (calf), Damien Johnson (knee) and Chris Sutton (groin) all picked up knocks during the game at St Andrew's. "The most important thing was getting the three points to put us within touching distance of the other teams near the bottom. "The frustration we have is losing the three players. Losing another three big players is a major problem. "It will do him a power of good because we all know strikers operate in bursts. He did it last season and let's hope he does it again."
"It was a very nervous time and the longer the game went on the more edgy we got," Bruce said after the match.
"Jermaine Pennant had a great game, while it was a great header from Emile Heskey for his goal.