Birmingham took a massive step towards securing their place in the First Division play-offs as Crystal Palace slumped to another defeat at Selhurst Park.

An own goal from skipper Dean Austin on the stroke of half time and a Paul Furlong strike mid-way through the second half gave Birmingham their seventh away win, and left Palace without a home success since the turn of the century.

However, it could have been so different had the home side taken their chances early in the match.

Craig Foster slipped a low cross into the goalmouth after 10 minutes, but leading scorer Clinton Morrison's first touch let him down in front of goal and Thomas Myhre was able to make a simple save.

The Eagles had another great chance on 15 minutes after Foster's corner was allowed to drop on the goalline, but Morrison again failed to apply the vital finishing touch.

Birmingham's first chance fell on 25 minutes after Ashley Cole's backpass failed to reach his keeper Matthew Gregg. Jon McCarthy anticipated with a timely interception, but Gregg came to the rescue for Palace with an excellent stop.

Martin Grainger then saw his 15-yard shot by Jamie Smith and it was no surprise when the visitors opened the scoring seconds before the break.

Gary Rowett found space down the right and his cross looked harmless until Austin got caught up with his keeper and glanced the ball into the corner of the net.

After the break the Eagles should have made an immediate reply, but Foster placed his shot wide of an open goal. Then within a few minutes Michael Johnson rescued Birmingham with a goal mouth clearance from Morrison's overhead effort.

At the other end Rowett's curling 20-yard free-kick flashed past the post before Birmingham stunned the Eagles with a second goal on 61 minutes.

Substitute Dele Adebola worked his way to the byline before his low cross found Furlong in the box and his first time effort flew past the hapless Gregg.

A few minutes later Furlong had the ball in the net again, but referee Paul Durkin ruled the goal out after consulting his assistant.

Teams:

Crystal Palace: Gregg, Smith, Austin, Cole, Linighan, Foster (Thomson 75), Carlisle, Mullins, Morrison, Forssell (Hunt 75), McKenzie.

Subs Not Used: Kendall, Woozley, Frampton.

Booked: Mullins.

Birmingham: Myhre, Rowett, Grainger, Hughes, Hyde, Holdsworth, McCarthy (Campbell 90), Purse, Furlong (Marcelo 79), M. Johnson, A. Johnson (Adebola 55).

Subs Not Used: Charlton, Lazaridis.

Goals: Austin 45 og, Furlong 61.

Att: 17,144

Ref: P Durkin (Dorset).