Premiership: Birmingham City 1 - 0 Sunderland

One down, two to go. With a visit to Middlesbrough and a local derby against West Brom to follow, Steve Bruce needs no telling that this victory was merely an appetizer for the crucial coming weeks.

Not that there was much to feed on here as Birmingham and Sunderland displayed all the frailties of two sides who have spent almost the entire season in the relegation zone.

It took the introduction of DJ Campbell at half time to liberate Birmingham, though the former Brentford striker, who had tormented Sunderland in the FA Cup a month ago, was unable to embellish his display with the goal he deserved. His moment appeared to have arrived when he cut in from the left to drill a low, powerful shot goalbound, though the outstretched boot of Kelvin Davis deflected his effort to safety. No matter. Birmingham were already a goal to the good by then having seized the advantage seven minutes before the interval when Emile Heskey ended a three-month goal drought with a powerful back-post header.

It was enough to secure a precious home win that lifts Birmingham to within three points of West Brom, who host Middlesbrough in another relegation battle today.

Heskey’s effort owed much to Jiri Jarosik, whose trickery on the left had enticed Nyron Nosworthy to commit a cynical foul. Though the free-kick was in a dangerous position, merely three yards from the edge of the area, any optimism was tempered by Birmingham’s hitherto poor set-play delivery. This time, though, Jermaine Pennant found his range, swinging in a curling ball that implored Heskey to head home.

The former England striker might have added a second shortly after the interval, again benefiting from Pennant’s vision, though this time his diving header landed the wrong side of the post.

Sunderland’s threat was sporadic, though Julio Arca did trouble Maik Taylor with a vicious left-footed drive that flashed past his near upright.

But it was Birmingham who appeared more likely to score again, with David Dunn, on as a substitute for Muzzy Izzet, drawing a fine save from Davis late on.

Man of the match: Jermaine Pennant

His creativity was badly needed in a dreadful match devoid of incident. Thankfully he delivered, finding Emile Heskey with a fine free-kick that led to the only goal. Created another opportunity that Heskey wasted.