A first-half header from Radhi Jaidi and DJ Campbell's brace ensured Birmingham remain firmly on track for automatic promotion.

The brushing aside of a limp Coventry side moves Blues back into the Coca-Cola Championship's top two, with a game in hand on leaders Derby.

Iain Dowie has transformed Coventry's fortunes since his arrival two months ago, but this insipid display, bereft of creativity and imagination, was a far cry from the side who had gone unbeaten in their previous six games.

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce suffered a blow just before kick-off with the news that Andy Cole, who signed last week on loan from Portsmouth, had been prevented from making his debut by a hamstring injury.

The former Manchester United man's absence meant there was a recall for Cameron Jerome, who partnered Nicklas Bendtner in attack, while there was no place in the 16 for fit-again striker Mikael Forssell.

Birmingham started in confident mood and Sky Blues skipper Elliott Ward did well to block Jerome's fierce strike after the former Cardiff forward had been teed up by the industrious Rowan Vine inside the opening five minutes.

Blues were very nearly rewarded for their pulsating start as Bendtner's stinging 25-yard drive was brilliantly tipped round the post by Andy Marshall.

But there was nothing the Coventry stopper could do to prevent Birmingham taking the lead from the resulting corner as Jaidi netted his third goal of the campaign.

Sebastian Larsson's outswinging corner was met by the unmarked Tunisian 12 yards out and his accurate header flew into the top corner to ensure Blues were duly rewarded for their enterprising approach.

There was no sign of Birmingham's impetus fading and Jerome wasted two golden opportunities to extend their advantage soon after.

First, his skewed header from eight yards posed more trouble to the corner flag than Marshall's goal, and then he was unable to steer a shot past the Coventry goalkeeper after capitalising on Ward's indecision over a long ball.

Bruce's side were rampant and Damien Johnson, who scored his first goal in four years against West Brom last time out, sliced a half-volley horribly wide with only Marshall to beat.

Bendtner was orchestrating all of Birmingham's frequent attacks and after another mazy run his searching cross just eluded the unmarked Jerome, and the on-loan Arsenal ace stung the palms of Marshall with a crisp long-range drive just before the break.

There was a clear injection of enthusiasm into the Sky Blues' play in the second period and lively winger Jay Tabb was a matter of inches away from connecting with Michael Mifsud's inviting cross.

Mifsud, who had been on Euro 2008 qualifying duty with Malta this week, showed no signs of fatigue as he stole a march on Jaidi, but he was only able to flash his first-time volley over Colin Doyle's crossbar.

Coventry were made to pay the ultimate price for their profligacy though, as substitute Campbell doubled Birmingham's advantage after 65 minutes.

Campbell, who had only been on the pitch for three minutes, latched on to Stephen Kelly's hopeful punt from defence and after outpacing Ward, the former Brentford striker showed fantastic composure to clip the ball past the onrushing Marshall.

Birmingham were threatening to run riot and Vine and Larsson both went agonisingly close to adding another.

Campbell teed up Vine with an incisive pass but his powerful strike from eight yards crashed off the post, and Larsson's thumping first-time strike from 30 yards flew just wide.

The St Andrews faithful did not have to wait long to see a third though, as Campbell got in front of Ward to steer home Mehdi Nafti's left-wing cross 12 minutes from time to wrap up a comprehensive victory for Blues.

Teams

Birmingham Doyle, Kelly, Martin Taylor, Jaidi, Sadler,Larsson, Johnson, Clemence (Nafti 73), Vine,Bendtner (Muamba 82), Jerome (Campbell 62).

Subs Not Used: Maik Taylor, Danns.

Goals: Jaidi 13, Campbell 65, 78.

Coventry Marshall, Virgo, Hawkins, Ward, Hall,Osbourne (Fadiga 64), Doyle, Hughes, Tabb (Kyle 64), Adebola,Mifsud.

Subs Not Used: Steele, Page, McKenzie.

Booked: Hughes, Doyle.

Att: 25,424

Ref: T M Kettle (Rutland).