Birmingham City claim vital win over Sheffield Wednesday

Birmingham City have edged closer to leaving the Championship relegation zone courtesy of a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

Neither side was particularly quick out of the starting blocks, the first clear chance not coming until the 22nd minute, when Adam Reach planted a free header straight at Tomasz Kuszczak from Jack Hunt's cross.

Seven minutes later, Wednesday failed to deal with David Davis's cross and, when the ball fell to Jeremie Boga, the Chelsea loanee blazed over the bar from eight yards.

The Owls thought that they had taken the lead after 71 minutes when Gary Hooper tapped in Morgan Fox's cross but it was ruled out by the linesman's flag.

Lee Carsley's charges went on to grab the winner five minutes later through Isaac Vassell, who converted from close range after latching on to Jacques Maghoma's probing ball beyond the Owls back line.

The result is a first win in all competitions since August 12 for the Blues and puts them level on points with 21st-placed Barnsley, while Carlos Carvalhal's side remain five points adrift of the playoff positions.