English FA Premiership: Birmingham 2 Blackburn 1 Birmingham fans have waited a long time for this moment. Some 15 months have passed since Robbie Savage departed St Andrew's under a cloud, and with only three minutes remaining it appeared as if the Welshman would have the last laugh.
The smiles, however, all belonged to Birmingham's supporters after Mikael Forssell turned in a late winner to cancel out Savage's strike nine minutes earlier.
It was Forssell's first Premiership goal from open play in almost two years and could not have arrived at a more opportune time. Victory lifts Birmingham above Portsmouth and out of the relegation zone, and with only three matches left of a turbulent season their fate is again in their own hands. For Blackburn and Savage the Champions League is now beyond their reach.
Too many games have been labelled "must-win" here this season, but this was the mother of them all. Portsmouth's unexpected defeat at Charlton on Monday opened a window of opportunity that Birmingham simply had to jump through.
Not that Blackburn were likely to be sympathetic to their cause. Rovers arrived clinging to the dream that fourth spot was still within their grasp, while the presence of Savage added hostility to an already tense occasion.
This was the Welshman's first return to St Andrew's since his acrimonious departure some 15 months ago.
The touchpaper was not lit in the opening half but there was plenty of fire in Birmingham's approach. Nicky Butt and Damien Johnson snapped into tackles while Emile Heskey made his physical presence felt in the Blackburn area. The former Liverpool striker came close to ending his goal-drought on 19 minutes but his header sailed over.
The introduction of Sergio Peter at the beginning of the second half gave Blackburn fresh impetus. David Bentley finally provided a meaningful attempt on goal when he swept a curling, 25-yard shot narrowly wide, while Zurab Khizanishvili came closer still with a glancing header that struck the far upright.
Birmingham's energy tank was running dry, but with a moment of good fortune tired legs found renewed belief. Heskey, seeking to hammer the ball towards goal, sliced horribly into the path of Gray. The former Palace winger took a touch before spearing a low cross that Butt scrambled home.
When Savage tapped in with 12 minutes remaining he threatened to break Birmingham hearts, but Forssell had other ideas, prodding in Gray's cross.
BIRMINGHAM: Maik Taylor, Tebily, Cunningham, Martin Taylor, Sadler, Pennant (Melchiot 37), Johnson, Butt, Gray, Sutton, Heskey (Forssell 67). Subs Not Used: Vaesen, Kilkenny, Bruce. Booked: Cunningham, Tebily, Johnson, Gray, Sutton. Goals: Butt 62, Forssell 87.
BLACKBURN: Friedel, Neill, Todd (Mokoena 74), Nelsen, Khizanishvili, Emerton (Kuqi 71), Reid, Savage, Pedersen (Peter 45), Bentley, Bellamy. Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Dickov. Goals: Savage 78.
Referee: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).
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