Bryan Hughes grabbed two goals to send gallant Stockport County to a narrow
defeat after they had two players sent off.
In a drama-packed tie, Stockport, down to nine men, rocked Birmingham by
equalising in the 66th minute through Alun Armstrong.
Birmingham's embarrassment was eased when Hughes popped up for the crucial
84th minute winner.
Battling Stockport had Brett Angell sent off in the 25th minute and afterwards
were always fighting a backs-to- the-wall battle.
Martin McIntosh became Stockport's second player to be given his marching
orders in the 53rd minute.
The early dismissal of Angell should have given Birmingham the upper hand but
Stockport commendably refused to break under pressure.
The game had been untidy with neither side being able to show any flowing
football in the opening exchanges.
Birmingham, who had previously scored only 13 goals in 19 home games, slowly
got on top but were over anxious and as a result Paul Furlong became the first
of eight players to be booked by referee Gary Willard.
Five minutes later Angell clashed with Steve Bruce and earned his first
booking.
When the two players became entangled a second time Bruce emerged with blood
around his nose and obviously far from happy with his treatment.
Referee Willard produced the red card and this incensed Stockport's Paul Cook
that he had to be refrained from confronting Bruce. His action simply earned
him a yellow card.
Reduced to 10 men Stockport were subjected to even stronger pressure and six
minutes after Angell's departure Birmingham went ahead.
Martin Grainger's low corner was flicked on by Gary Ablett and Hughes nudged
the ball home from close range.
Bruce and Armstrong were booked just before half-time and eight minutes into
the second half McIntosh clattered Hughes to the ground and referee Willard
immediately sent him off.
Stockport manager Gary Megson gambled heavily when he made three substitutions
at the same time and within two minutes they snatched a dramatic equaliser.
Substitute Simon Travis produced a low cross from the left and the unmarked
Armstrong was on hand to tap home - the first goal Ian Bennett has conceded in
five games.
But when it appeared as if Stockport had carved out a most unlikely replay
their hopes were dashed six minutes from time when a corner was pushed on to
Hughes to angle in a low drive for Birmingham's winner.
Birmingham: Bennett, Bass (Francis 66), Grainger (Robinson 76),
Bruce, Ablett, Marsden, McCarthy, O'Connor, Furlong (Ndlovu 45),
Hughes, Forster.
Subs Not Used: Johnson, Poole.
Booked: Furlong, Bruce, Marsden.
Goals: Hughes 32, 84.
Stockport: Nixon, Connelly (Dinning 64), Searle (Byrne 64),
Bennett, Flynn, McIntosh, Gannon, Cook (Travis 64), Angell,
Armstrong, Cooper.
Subs Not Used: Gray, Woodthorpe.
Sent Off: McIntosh (53), Angell (25).
Booked: Angell, Cook, Armstrong, Byrne.
Goals: Armstrong 66.
Att: 15,882
Ref: G S Willard (Worthing).
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