Birmingham's giant striker Dele Adebola boosted the team's play-off hopes with
his third goal in three games.
Adebola, a £1million signing from Crewe last month, struck after 16 minutes
with a superb header.
Rangers had hammered title-chasing Middlesbrough 5-0 in midweek but they never
showed that cutting edge in attack against Birmingham.
For a big man, Adebola showed the deftest of touches when he gave Birmingham
the lead.
The Nigerian-born marksman was expertly picked out by Birmingham's Northern
Ireland international winger Jon McCarthy who floated over a cross from the left
flank.
But Adebola was still caught off balance and had to twist himself back into
position before angling a header from 12 yards beyond the grasping hand of the
Rangers goalkeeper, Lee Harper.
Adebola's strike was no more than Birmingham had deserved as they had
dominated proceedings through Adebola and strike partner Peter Ndlovu after
being given an early scare by Ray Harford's side.
Rangers had the benefit of playing with a strong wind at their backs in the
first-half, but they only once capitalised on that advantage.
Rangers' former Arsenal defender Steve Morrow delivered a hopeful cross from
the left wing that flew a lot further on the wind than City's goalkeeper Ian
Bennett expected.
Bennett was forced to back pedal frantically and push the ball on to his bar
before it was scrambled away to safety by the City defence.
But Rangers, who must still have an anxious eye on the relegation dogfight
which is too close for comfort, were rarely seen as attacking force.
They had to wait until the 46th minute to test Birmingham again when
midfielder Bryan Hughes came to City's rescue.
Gavin Peacock's left-wing corner was headed goalwards by Rangers' skipper Karl
Ready, but Hughes as perfectly placed to head the ball off the line. But it was
City who always held the edge as they extended their recent impressive run in
the League to just two defeat in 17 games.
Teams
Birmingham: Bennett, Bass, Charlton, Bruce, Johnson, Marsden,
McCarthy, O'Connor, Adebola, Hughes (Forster 78),
Ndlovu (Grainger 78).
Subs Not Used: Ablett.
Goals: Adebola 16.
QPR: Harper, Bardsley, Morrow (Maddix 81), Kulcsar, Ready,
Yates (Heinola 81), Quashie, Peacock, Sheron, Gallen,
Bruce (Slade 62).
Booked: Bardsley, Quashie, Slade, Gallen.
Att: 18,298
Ref: R J Harris (Oxford).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook