Match Report: Birmingham City v Nottingham Forest

Team Line-ups: Birmingham 1. Jack Butland (GK) 28. Paul Caddis 4. Stephen Caldwell 6. Curtis Davies 30. Paul Robinson 7. Chris Burke 14. Mogaro Gomis 15. Wade Elliot 29. Rob Hall 20. Wes Thomas 9. Marlon King Nottingham Forest 12. Keith Darlow (GK) 36. Gonzalo Jara Reyes 15. Greg Halford 5. Danny Collins (C) 3. Dan Harding 8. Chris Cohen 6. Guy Moussi 22. Henri Lansbury 11. Andy Reid 9. Darius Henderson 24. Billy Sharp

On the day that Alex Mcleish returned to Standrews it was the man that he signed for Blues, and again tried to sign for Forest in last months transfer window, that stole the headlines. Cash strapped Blues had a much more successful transfer window than had been anticipated for Blues with only Jack Butland (who has come back on loan until the end of the season) heading for the exit. Bournemouth striker Wes Thomas was added to the squad on loan on transfer deadline day and he came into the side for Callum Reily, which was the only change from last weekends last gasp win at Turf Moor. Forest meanwhile made four changes from last Saturdays home defeat to high flying Watford. Mcleish was jeered loudly by the home fans as he made his way to the away dugout and the main event of the first fifteen minutes were the unsavoury

chants aimed towards mcleish from the Standrews faithful as both teams were limited to the odd half chance. Marlon King should have scored for the hosts in the 22nd minute after being played through by Burke but he dragged his shot wide and really should have done better. Forest had an excellent chance of their own just four minutes later but the lively Billy Sharp flicked his header just wide from Andy Reids cross. New boy Wes Thomas had a couple of decent first half chances to grab a debut goal, but on both occasions, failed to find the back of the net. Forest had their best spell of the match just before half-time and could have gone into the break in front. Greg Halford forcing an excellent point blank save by Butland from a well worked free-kick. Instead Forest went in trailing. With almost the last kick of the half Chris Burkes shot from distance looked to have been sailing over the bar but instead it went in off the underside of the bar leaving the Forest keeper helpless. Forest had a good chance to level ten minutes after the interval and Jack Butland did well to keep out the goal bound header from Darius Henderson. Blues played excellently during the second half. Chris Burke had a shot from twenty yards out which went just over the bar and soon afterwards Wes Thomas really should have added a second when he was one on one with Darlow but his shot was just wide of the mark, to the frustration of the home fans. Burke however did add a second for Blues in the 80th minute. Substitute Nathan Redmond teed up Burke nicely for him to side foot home and surely confirm three points for the home side. Forest tried to offer a fight back and Jack Butland made yet another good save from Billy Sharp before Forest were awarded a late penalty after a foul on Sharp by Curtis Davies. Sharp got up to convert the penalty but it was too little too late for Forest and confirmed a miserable return to the second city for Alex Mcleish. This victory sealed back-to-back wins for the first time this season for Blues and lifts them up to 16th in the Championship table. Alex Mcleish on the other is under serious pressure just six weeks into his reign at the City Ground and leaves Forest six points off the play-offs. Motm: Chris Burke Attendance: 17.738 Referee: Darren Deadman