Match ends, Birmingham City 1, Burnley 2.
BirminghamBirmingham City1BurnleyBurnley2
Burnley moved to within two points of Championship leaders Middlesbrough with a narrow win against Birmingham City.
George Boyd got the Clarets' opener when he struck from the edge of the area into the bottom corner.
Jacques Maghoma equalised after Tom Heaton could only parry on-loan Arsenal midfielder Jon Toral's effort.
Boyd's cross allowed Andre Gray to score his 24th of the season for the winner, before Toral was sent off in injury time for a second yellow card.
Sean Dyche's side have stretched their unbeaten run to 19 games as they look for an immediate return to the Premier League.
The Clarets's next game is at home to top-of-the-table Boro on Tuesday night at Turf Moor.
Burnley keeper Heaton produced smart saves from Toral and David Cotterill as they went into the break ahead, while Jonathan Grounds hit the crossbar in the second-half for Blues.
The Clarets created numerous chances themselves as Dave Jones shot wide and Ashley Barnes drilled into the side netting before Gray's side-foot volley secured three points.
Toral was dismissed in the closing moments when his challenge on Lloyd Dyer brought a second booking.
Birmingham City manager Gary Rowett:
"It's frustrating because we were fantastic. We were the better team. It was a really strong performance at a difficult point of the season against an excellent Burnley side.
"Jacques Maghoma had his face kicked off in the penalty box after four minutes. It was a blatant penalty but the referee said he didn't see it.
"Probably Burnley are going to be promoted. They manage to get results in games they do not play well in. But that is a skill in itself and you have to take your hat off to them."
Burnley manager Sean Dyche:
"George Boyd was tireless in his work and his quality was outstanding, while the response of the team after they equalised was to be admired.
"There is a great belief among the players and there is certainly energy and desire.
"We are in a good place for a reason. I was very pleased with the way we played."
Line-ups
Birmingham
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Legzdins
- 31Caddis
- 28Morrison
- 32Shotton
- 3Grounds
- 6Kieftenbeld
- 26Davis
- 11CotterillSubstituted forFabbriniat 79'minutes
- 20ToralBooked at 90mins
- 19MaghomaSubstituted forLaffertyat 79'minutes
- 9Donaldson
Substitutes
- 7Fabbrini
- 8Gleeson
- 15Vaughan
- 17Solomon-Otabor
- 23Spector
- 25Lafferty
- 29Kuszczak
Burnley
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Heaton
- 2Lowton
- 5Keane
- 6Mee
- 23WardBooked at 37mins
- 37ArfieldSubstituted forDyerat 60'minutes
- 8MarneyBooked at 84mins
- 13BartonSubstituted forJonesat 45'minutes
- 21BoydBooked at 71mins
- 30Barnes
- 7GraySubstituted forTarkowskiat 89'minutes
Substitutes
- 14Jones
- 15Taylor
- 16Dyer
- 17Robinson
- 18Hennings
- 26Tarkowski
- 27Darikwa
- Referee:
- Mark Heywood
- Attendance:
- 19,151
Match Stats
Home TeamBirminghamAway TeamBurnley
- Possession
- Home55%
- Away45%
- Shots
- Home21
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away3
- Corners
- Home6
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away17
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Birmingham City 1, Burnley 2.
Dismissal
Second yellow card to Jon-Miquel Toral (Birmingham City) for a bad foul.
Post update
Lloyd Dyer (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jon-Miquel Toral (Birmingham City).
Post update
James Tarkowski (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Clayton Donaldson (Birmingham City).
Post update
Attempt missed. Diego Fabbrini (Birmingham City) right footed shot from long range on the right is just a bit too high. Assisted by Paul Caddis.
Substitution
Substitution, Burnley. James Tarkowski replaces Andre Gray.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Andre Gray (Burnley) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Dean Marney with a through ball.
Post update
Foul by Michael Keane (Burnley).
Post update
Clayton Donaldson (Birmingham City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Kyle Lafferty (Birmingham City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Booking
Dean Marney (Burnley) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Diego Fabbrini (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Dean Marney (Burnley).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Diego Fabbrini (Birmingham City) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Maikel Kieftenbeld.
Post update
Ashley Barnes (Burnley) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Ryan Shotton (Birmingham City).
Substitution
Substitution, Birmingham City. Kyle Lafferty replaces Jacques Maghoma.
