Stewart Downing sliced into his own net to put Birmingham on the way to a convincing victory which took them above Middlesbrough in the Barclays Premier League.

Mikael Forssell added a second and Gary McSheffrey converted a late penalty to give the Blues all three points at St Andrews.

Undermined by shaky defending, Boro never really found their stride and when they did create chances, Maik Taylor stood firm in the Birmingham goal.

Boro's problems at the back came in spite of the presence of Jonathan Woodgate, who had been passed fit after problems with cramp in recent games.

Yet Gareth Southgate's side were actually the quickest to settle and it was they who created the first opportunity when Emanuel Pogatetz weaved his way into the box.

The ball was pulled back to Jeremie Aliadiere on the edge of the area but the Frenchman could only shoot tamely at Taylor. Downing also found space but fired over the bar.

After a slow start, Birmingham began to come into the game after a Sebastian Larsson free-kick forced George Boateng into an awkward clearance over his own bar.

Boro striker Tuncay Sanli was then needed back in his own area to head away a dangerous McSheffrey corner.

Mark Schwarzer had a moment of alarm in the Boro goal when he lost the ball under pressure from Fabrice Muamba but recovered.

But there was nothing the Australian keeper could do as Birmingham claimed the lead after a McSheffrey free-kick in the 22nd minute.

Julio Arca was booked for a clumsy challenge on Cameron Jerome on the right and McSheffrey's resulting set-piece was diverted past Schwarzer by Downing.

Downing tried to make amends with a long-range shot after breaking clear down the left but Taylor was equal to his optimistic effort.

Birmingham came back after McSheffrey cut out an errant Boro pass but Muamba's shot was wild.

Taylor missed the ball as he attempted to catch a header back from team-mate Radhi Jaidi but Boro were in no position to capitalise and Stephen Kelly cleared.

Tuncay had Boro's best chance of the first half when he headed a Fabio Rochemback free-kick straight at Taylor.

Birmingham went close to a second just before the interval when Forssell fired into the side-netting after Boro missed several opportunities to clear.

But Boro failed to learn the lesson and Forssell turned in a second from close range after Jerome flicked a Larsson corner across the face of goal.

Forssell found the net again early in the second half but the Finn was ruled offside from a McSheffrey header.

McSheffrey caused the visiting defence a number of problems and Schwarzer needed to tip a tricky cross over his own bar.

More indecision in the Boro box almost allowed the Blues in again but the ball fell kindly for Schwarzer.

Having struggled to make an impression, Boro at last started to enjoy a good spell midway through the second half although a shot by Arca flew well over.

Taylor appeared to wind himself after landing awkwardly catching a corner but was fit enough to continue.

Tuncay was unable to keep a shot down after good work from Arca on the edge of the box.

Larsson went close for Birmingham just before the hour as the referee played advantage following a push on Jerome by Woodgate but he could not keep his shot on target.

Lee Dong-Gook, introduced at half-time by Boro, got into a good position at the other end soon after but was unable to get on the end of a Boateng cross.

Tuncay then tested Taylor for the first time with an effort from 25 yards but the Northern Ireland goalkeeper palmed over.

Woodgate was booked for a challenge on Jerome which sent the striker flying into a TV camera.

As chances began to open up at both ends, Jaidi got in a powerful header but Schwarzer caught well.

Tuncay tricked his way into the Birmingham box but his shot was deflected for a corner.

Taylor did well to tip over a header from Robert Huth but flapped at the resulting corner and had to depend on his defenders to clear.

Jaidi also survived a penalty claim as the ball flicked his arm during a clumsy attempt at a clearance.

Yet Birmingham were awarded a spot-kick after Huth and Rochemback combined to bring down McSheffrey in stoppage time. McSheffrey coolly finished the job with the last kick of the game.

Teams:

Birmingham Maik Taylor, Kelly, Jaidi, Ridgewell, Queudrue, McSheffrey, Muamba, Johnson, Larsson (Nafti 82), Jerome,Forssell (O'Connor 77).

Subs Not Used: Doyle, Djourou, De Ridder.

Booked: McSheffrey.

Goals: Downing 22 og, Forssell 45, McSheffrey 90 pen.

Middlesbrough Schwarzer, Young, Wheater (Huth 46), Woodgate, Pogatetz, Boateng, Rochemback, Arca (Johnson 70), Downing,Sanli, Aliadiere (Lee 46).

Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Shawky.

Booked: Arca, Woodgate.

Att: 24,094

Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).