Birmingham 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0:Ten-man Birmingham secured a priceless 2-0 victory over local rivals Wolves in their top-of-the-table Championship showdown at St Andrews.
Blues' experience proved too much for Wolves' youth in an encounter that was ultimately settled by repeated hesitancy in the visiting defence.
Cameron Jerome had already wasted a glorious one-on-one chance after a misjudged back pass from Stephen Ward when he capitalised on some confusion in Wolves' six-yard box to bundle the ball home from close range in first-half injury time.
Substitute Garry O'Connor then wrapped up the points in the 69th minute after Christophe Berra failed to get enough purchase on his header back to Wayne Hennessey.
The main talking point up until the opening goal had been Blues captain Lee Carsley's 36th-minute dismissal for a dangerously high challenge on Chris Iwelumo - which left huge concerns over the seriousness of the injury.
The victory takes second-placed Birmingham to within two points of the league leaders with five games remaining, setting up a thrilling finale in the bid to reach the Premier League.
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