Wolves' derby-day specialist George Ndah dealt a major blow to Birmingham City's promotion hopes at St Andrews.

Ndah sent Birmingham spinning to defeat in just 50 seconds. The £1million marksman had scored two goals in Wolves' previous game when they beat another of their midland rivals, West Brom, at Molineux.

Birmingham dominated the match in terms of possession, but their lack of a cutting edge has all but extinguished their slim hopes of automatic promotion. They are now facing prospect of taking part in the play-offs for the third successive season.

Wolves caught Birmingham cold in the first minute when a smart through-ball from Welsh international midfielder Carl Robinson released Ndah. The former Swindon striker used his pace to surge clear of the flat-footed Birmingham defence and then fired a cross-shot from 12 yards past goalkeeper Ian Bennett.

Despite their dream start, Wolves still had to soak up long periods of Birmingham pressure, although the City attack lacked the edge to turn their possession into goals.

Wolves' goalkeeper Michael Oakes was tested briefly after winger Stan Lazaridis fired in a 22nd-minute free-kick before Birmingham's frustrations threatened to spill over four minutes before half-time. Striker Andrew Johnson was booked for a crunching challenge on Oakes and his front-line partner Geoff Horsfield followed him into the book after a mass brawl erupted.

Despite playing most of the half on the defensive, Wolves still posed a major threat in attack and they would have opened up a two-goal advantage but for keeper Bennett. He dived full length to his left in first-half injury time to pluck out a goalbound header from Wolves' skipper Ludovic Pollett following a corner from Andy Sinton.

Birmingham continued to dominate after the break, but rarely troubled Oakes. Horsfield headed wide in the 52nd minute and then saw a shot beaten away 14 minutes later.

When substitute Dele Adebola headed over the bar from six yards nine minutes from time, Birmingham's fate was effectively sealed. Central defender David Holdsworth then wasted a golden chance in injury-time when he powered a close-range header straight at Oakes to sum up Birmingham's dismal day.

Teams

Birmingham: Bennett, Atherton (Eaden 21), Michael Johnson, Holdsworth, Gill, McCarthy (Adebola 44), Pollock, Hughes, Lazaridis, Andrew Johnson, Horsfield (Marcelo 67).

Subs Not Used: Poole, Burrows.

Booked: Andrew Johnson, Horsfield, Gill.

Wolverhampton: Oakes, Connelly, Lescott, Pollet, Naylor, Proudlock, Andrews, Robinson, Sinton (Emblen 85), Branch, Ndah.

Subs Not Used: Stowell, Camara, Roussel, Ketsbaia.

Booked: Lescott, Connelly.

Goals: Ndah 1.

Att: 24,003

Ref: F Stretton (Notts).