Ten-man Birmingham overcome the Wolves

Birmingham strengthened their hold on the second automatic promotion place to the Premiership on Monday as despite being reduced to 10 men they beat Championship leaders Wolves 2-0.

Goals by Cameron Jerome and Gary O’Connor moved Birmingham to within two points of Wolves with third-placed Reading six points adrift of the victors, though, they have a game in hand.

Birmingham looked to have given themselves too much to do when former Republic of Ireland international midfielder Lee Carsley was given a straight red card in the 37th minute for a dreadful foul on Chris Iwelumo, which saw him stretchered off.

However, the hosts gathered themselves together and took the lead deep into first-half injury time as Jerome scored with a scrappy effort.

Wolves barely threatened and Birmingham wrapped up the match when O’Connor scored in the 69th minute.