Birmingham leapfrogged Reading to move back into the automatic promotion places at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship with a deserved victory over Nottingham Forest.

After a run of just one win in their last six league games, Blues looked edgy during the opening exchanges and Nathan Tyson could have given the visitors an early lead when he broke clear.

But once Birmingham settled, it was almost one-way traffic. Marcus Bent saw his first-half header loop off the top of the crossbar before grabbing the vital breakthrough after 62 minutes.

David Murphy's cross dropped nicely for the former Charlton marksman to turn and fire under Paul Smith, and it was left for Keith Fahey to put the game beyond doubt with a superb chip over the stranded Forest keeper to register his first goal for the club.

Both sides found it difficult to express themselves on a difficult St Andrews pitch but, nevertheless, the victory - which comes during the week marking the 30th anniversary of Trevor Francis' £1million move to Forest - takes Blues to within three points of leaders Wolves with a game in hand.

Meanwhile Forest, who had only suffered one league defeat in six before today, remain in trouble at the wrong end of the table.

Tyson was gifted with a great chance to open the scoring after only three minutes but, having raced clear down the left-hand side, he could only balloon his effort high and wide from close range.

The lively Tyson then flashed a ball across the face of goal just minutes later as the visitors enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges.

But Blues steadied the ship after a rocky first five minutes and slowly, but not spectacularly, came back into the game.

Kevin Phillips saw his long-range effort deflected narrowly wide before Lee Bowyer scuffed an effort off target from 16 yards.

Phillips had to be replaced due to injury just after the half-hour mark but Cameron Jerome came on and immediately looked a threat up front.

Alex McLeish's charges started to turn the screw as the interval approached and Liam Ridgewell's flick-on forced a good save from Smith before Bent's header looped over the Forest keeper and off the top of the crossbar. Smith then palmed Sebastian Larsson's free-kick to safety as the half came to a close.

Blues started the second half where they left off at the end of the first and should have taken the lead after 52 minutes.

Scott Sinclair whipped in an inswinging cross from the right but Bent and Ridgewell could only get in each other's way and the former headed wide from four yards.

But the hosts finally registered the breakthrough they deserved just after the hour mark.

Murphy launched a cross into the penalty area from deep on the left and as Bent tussled with Kelvin Wilson, the ball broke nicely for the Blues striker to turn and prod past Smith, despite the best efforts from Wes Morgan on the line.

Luke Chambers' long-range effort forced Maik Taylor to dive low to his right and palm the ball away but Fahey made the game safe for the hosts with 15 minutes remaining.

The ex-St Patrick's midfielder picked up the ball on the left and drove into the area before placing a delicate chip over the stranded Smith to secure Blues' first win over the Reds at St Andrews since 1981.

Teams:

Birmingham Maik Taylor, Larsson, Martin Taylor, Ridgewell, Murphy, Fahey (Bouazza 85), Carsley, Bowyer, Sinclair, Phillips (Jerome 31), Bent (Costly 76).

Subs Not Used: Doyle, Queudrue.

Booked: Bowyer.

Goals: Bent 62, Fahey 75.

Nottm Forest Smith, Chambers, Morgan, Wilson, Moloney (McCleary 66), Perch, McGugan, Heath (Breckin 83), Tyson, Garner (Newbold 67), Cohen.

Subs Not Used: Gamble, Thornhill.

Booked: Perch.

Att: 17,631

Ref: Graham Laws (Tyne & Wear).