Birmingham City edged two points clear of the Sky Bet Championship relegation zone with a nervy 1-0 victory over play-off chasers Preston North End on Easter Monday. Blues, without a win in six games beforehand, can breathe a brief sigh of relief as Gary Rowett returned a hero in the home dugout at St Andrew's @ Knightead Park. Jay Stansfield's composed finish on the counter was the difference, with Preston unproductive for the most part.
Birmingham controlled proceedings in the opening exchanges and had the first two opportunities of note. Koji Miyoshi fed Juninho Bacuna through on goal but the Curaçaoan could only do so much from the tight angle, firing his effort straight at North End goalkeeper Freddie Woodman. Jordan James then raised fans off their seats with a low drive from 20 yards but the ball fizzed a few inches wide of the left post.
Preston resorted to their own half for much of the first period but occasionally darted forward on the counter and had a few gilt-edged chances. The best was when Ethan Laird's misjudged header found Robbie Brady in the channel and the Preston skipper cut the ball back. But Blues defender Lee Buchanan showed excellent anticipation to intercept before any North End forwards could attack.
There were calls for a Preston red card in the 41st minute as Will Keane kicked out at Emanuel Aiwu on the ground. Had VAR been available, the striker may have been reprimanded more severely but he received a yellow from referee Oliver Langford. Buchanan then went agonisingly close to giving Blues the lead as he found space 25 yards out and hit the outside of the right post. The left-back did brilliantly to keep his effort down but the woodwork denied him.
St Andrew's was roared into life in the 68th minute as Stansfield opened the scoring, taking advantage of a double Preston error. The visitors played a loose ball on the edge of Birmingham's box and Miyoshi pounced, intercepting before flicking the ball onto Stansfield near the halfway line. Preston defender Liam Lindsay slipped, giving Blues' number 28 a clear run to goal but he still had Woodman to beat. The pressure would've eaten up many but Stansfield stood tall, improving the angle before passing into the bottom left corner for 1-0.
Paik Seung-ho had a glorious opportunity to double Blues' lead in bizarre style. Bacuna slipped when taking a free-kick and somehow ricocheted it backward but the ball was then swung into the area, for Paik to touch down and try his luck. Woodman made himself big, though, smothering the South Korean's close-range shot. Gary Gardner, off the bench, nearly scored wink a cheeky dink with the last kick of the game but it bounced just wide.
St Andrew's was overjoyed at the full time whistle, with supporters embracing one another in their droves; the winning feeling finally returning to Knighthead Park. Here are our Birmingham player ratings from a vital 1-0 win.
Attendance: 24,511; away 1,389.
1. John Ruddy - 7
Had one easy save to make in the first half, denying Brady. Sured Blues up in second half, commanding his area effectively.
2. Ethan Laird - 7
Nearly made a costly error, heading the ball straight through to Brady bearing down on goal. Otherwise very solid defensively, with seven out of nine aerial duels won and several tackles completed.
3. Emanuel Aiwu - 7
Lacked awareness as Brady and Keane often got in behind early on but settled into the game, heading out most crosses and managing several sliding tackles.
4. Dion Sanderson - 7
Man-marked Keane and did a decent job, minimising the striker’s output. Led from the back as Birmingham held on for the win.