Lloyd Dyer strikes late as Birmingham City sneak past Charlton Athletic

A late Lloyd Dyer goal secured a 1-0 win for Birmingham City over Charlton Athletic in a dull game at St Andrew's.

Birmingham started lively and were all over Charlton, with Robert Tesche, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, and David Cotterill all troubling goalkeeper Stephen Henderson.

Diego Fabbrini then had a glorious chance to put the home side in front, but he could only shoot wide from six yards out after fine work out wide by Demari Gray.

Tony Watt pressed forward for Charlton, but his long-range effort was well tipped away by Darren Randolph.

Another strong Gray run saw him set up Cotterill after the break, but again the Welshman could only blaze the ball over the bar.

Igor Vetokele was then played in behind the defence by a perfect Watt through ball, but Randolph did well to spread his body and thwart the one on one chance.

Gray continued to impress and a number of his late shots were blocked before Dyer grabbed the decisive late goal, firing in from a narrow angle to give Birmingham the win.

The 1-0 victory sees Birmingham rise to 11th in the Championship table one place above Charlton.