Birmingham boosted their hopes of a place in the promotion play-offs with a deserved victory at Burnley.

Tommy Mooney scored the only goal of the game midway through the first half to effectively end Burnley's hopes of automatic promotion.

The Blues were simply too good for the home side, who failed to create a decent chance at any point in a lacklustre display.

Birmingham, on the other hand, could have secured a more convincing win but for the outstanding display of Burnley goalkeeper Marlon Beresford.

Mooney's goal came following a lively burst of right-wing play by Paul Devlin, who hit a deep cross for the City striker to head home from eight yards.

Before that goal Beresford had saved well from both Mooney and Curtis Woodhouse and after the goal Woodhouse tested Beresford again.

The second half saw Birmingham content to defend in numbers and attempt break away moves.

Burnley never threatened but the visitors could have scored again had Beresford not saved well from Mooney and substitute Stan Lazaridis.

Teams

Burnley Beresford, West, Branch (Davis 45), Ball, Cox, Little, Alan Moore (Blake 69), Briscoe, Cook (Ian Moore 30), Weller, Taylor.

Subs Not Used: Maylett, McGregor.

Booked: Taylor, Cook, Ian Moore.

Birmingham Bennett, Kenna, Purse, Michael Johnson, Grainger, Devlin (Eaden 79), Woodhouse (Lazaridis 51), Hughes, Carter, Mooney, John.

Subs Not Used: Vaesen, Horsfield, Hyde.

Booked: Kenna, Lazaridis, Purse.

Goals: Mooney 25.

Att: 13,504

Ref: R Harris (Oxford).