Scotland international James McFadden regained his goalscoring form, albeit from the penalty spot, to help Birmingham City to a 1-0 victory at home to Wigan Athletic.
McFadden, operating as an out and out striker, notched only his third goal of the season but it was sufficient to enable Birmingham to regain winning form after two successive defeats and also to complete the double over Wigan.
But the Scots' overall form was not out of the top draw and he was replaced by veteran striker Kevin Phillips in the 63rd minute.
Poor Wigan's decline continued and they have now gone seven games without a win, while Birmingham's latest success almost certainly guarantees top-flight football again next season.
To their credit Wigan began in a positive frame of mind with Hugo Rodellega and Charles N'Zogbia going close with strong shots but they are deep in trouble.
But it was Birmingham who created the best goalscoring opportunity of the early stages when Scott Dann headed a Seb Larsson free-kick against the bar.
With McFadden in a forward role and under instructions to challenge more often in the box, Birmingham took a long time to get into the game.
It was very much one-paced with neither side really gaining the upper hand. Cameron Jerome threatened to lift the game out of the doldrums when he shot on the turn, only to see Chris Kirkland make a blocking save.
Jerome then hesitated when put in possession by Liam Ridgewell and seconds later the Birmingham defender provided another cross only to see McFadden's effort scrambled off the line.
In view of these misses it is hardly surprising that the fewest number of goals have been scored at St. Andrew's this season compared to other grounds in the top-flight.
But in the last minute of the first half Birmingham finally took the lead in controversial circumstances.
Wigan's captain Mario Melchiot, a former Birmingham player, was adjudged to have fouled Keith Fahey on the edge of the penalty area. It was something of a harsh decision as a replay did not show any contact by Melchiot. McFadden was not complaining and he slotted away the spot-kick to put Birmingham in the driving seat.
As expected it was Wigan who went in search of the equaliser as they upped the pace.
They very nearly achieved their objective in the 67th minute when Joe Hart was forced to make the save of the match from a snap shot by Wigan's most dangerous player, Rodallega.
The game was held up for a spell up when a referee assistant, Trevor Massey, was hit on the forehead by a corner flag following a sliding tackle by Ridgewell on James McCarthy. With blood streaming from the head wound the official was replaced by Steve Bennett.
Birmingham became increasingly anxious after that and Gary Caldwell was accorded an excellent opportunity to equalise, only to screw the ball wide from close range.
Source: DSG
