Premier League: Birmingham 1 Stoke 0

Birmingham stole a dramatic 1-0 win over Stoke City at St Andrews thanks to an injury-time winner from striker Nikola Zigic.

David Bentley’s shot was saved by Asmir Begovic but Cameron Jerome was alert to the rebound and chipped in a cross for the Serb to head in from close range.The match played out as many predicted, with both teams showing plenty of commitment but with little action in front of goal.It took 17 minutes for a shot on target to be registered with Stoke’s Jon Walters testing Ben Foster from the edge of the box which the Birmingham goalkeeper easily dealt with.Foster also did well to hold Kenwyne Jones’ low effort but was left standing when Jermaine Pennant arrowed a free kick just wide.Birmingham’s best effort in the first half came from David Bentley who curled a shot inches wide, however Stoke gloveman Begovic was kept busy by Craig Gardner, grabbing his low shot at the second attempt.Seb Larsson showed great skill to collect a long range pass from Barry Ferguson 10 minutes into the second half, however his shot bounced just wide of Begovic’s post.Stoke contained their hosts well and went close themselves, John Carew and Robert Huth both firing wide.Carew then tested Foster with a low shot after a clever pass from Pennant.No one could question the fight showed by both teams, with every tackle keenly contested.The game could have boiled over on more than one occasion but referee Mark Halsey did well to control proceedings, only booking one player throughout the match.But the most applause would go to Zigic whose last-gasp winner sent the home fans into delirium and moved his side further clear of the relegation zone.