Source: PA
O'Connor earns victory for Blues
Garry O'Connor scored an 88th-minute winner as Birmingham City began their three-match tour of the Far East with a 3-2 win over a Hong Kong XI at Hong Kong Stadium.
O'Connor sidefooted home from eight yards following Nikola Zigic's lay-off as Blues fought back from 2-1 down in a game played in blistering heat that saw both the Serbian striker and goalkeeper Ben Foster make their first appearances for the Midlands club.
Birmingham took the lead in the 20th minute after Stephen Carr won a free-kick on the right and, from Sebastian Larsson's delivery, Scott Dann outjumped his marker to steer a header into the far corner.
Hong Kong equalised four minutes later as a poor clearance fell straight to Leonardo and the striker lashed home from inside the box. Christian Annan then fired the hosts ahead as he brought down a long diagonal ball and with the Birmingham defence backing off, curled a shot into the far corner from the edge of the box beyond a stationary Foster.
Birmingham made a raft of changes at the break and Cameron Jerome poked over from close range within seconds of the restart. Chu Siu Kei then tested substitute Maik Taylor with a free-kick before Jean Kilama almost sliced a cross into his own net with just over 20 minutes to go.
Birmingham levelled in the 73rd minute when Jordon Mutch floated a delightful cross to the back post and Craig Gardner nodded into the opposite corner before O'Connor struck the decisive blow two minutes from the end.
