Two late penalties from David Unsworth sent Everton into the FA Cup fifth round.

The first was controversial, awarded for a debatable foul on Nicky Barmby after 76 minutes.

The second came in the third minute of injury time when David Holdsworth clearly took Kevin Campbell's legs away as he turned in the box.

Unsworth was coolness itself in the growing tension when he rolled both spot kicks neatly into the same corner of Ian Bennett's goal.

It was cruel on Bennett, who had performed heroics in the second half to keep his side in the game. It was cruel too on Birmingham, who had battled so bravely.

They had never been outplayed by their Premiership opponents, and for long spells looked like their disciplined defending was going to win them the reward of a penalty.

But Everton believe they are a good shout for the trophy this season, and if they can milk their good fortune as well as this as they continue along the road to Wembley, they could well be playing in the last final before the old stadium is demolished.

But Everton did not reach the last 16 without some soul searching. In the first half they were second best and were booed off at the break. In the second they found some passion and drive, and eventually overpowered Trevor Francis' team.

Earlier it was not just Everton's three troublesome youngsters - fined for their New Year boozing exploits - who had a hangover.

Certainly in the first half it looked like their colleagues were all in the same boat as they were given a searching examination by a fired-up First Division outfit.

Birmingham went for the throat from the off, and Everton were hurried and harassed into a stream of embarrassing mistakes. The jeers at half-time after they had been outfought must have been nothing compared to boss Walter Smith's reception when they reached the dressing room.

Smith had restored two of his wayward trio to the starting line-up, with Richard Dunne and Francis Jeffers forgiven even if their exploits have not been forgotten by the tough Scot. Michael Ball got onto the bench, from where he witnessed his pals given a torrid time.

Midfielders Martin O'Connor and Graham Hyde were at the forefront of the assault, and a 20-yarder from O'Connor surprised Paul Gerrard after five minutes and forced him into a desperate block.

Former Everton youngster Gary Rowett fired a cross-shot wide, and Bryan Hughes - Liverpool born and an Everton fan - somehow managed to roll a glorious chance wide from six yards following an O'Connor chip.

At this point Everton were all over the place. Don Hutchison and John Collins were being hounded from all angles, and Richard Gough was not quite his assured self under pressure from Marcelo.

Ironically it was Everton who had the best two chances of the first half, but that should not be allowed to colour the issue of that opening 45 minutes.

Just as Everton were searching for any form of inspiration, Jeffers took control of a long clearance and turned, 25 yards out, to unleash a 25th minute drive that smacked against the foot of a post.

Hutchison was put clear by Kevin Campbell after an O'Connor misplaced pass, and he really should have done better with his final shot as he surged into the box.

Five minutes from the break Hutchison's chip found Campbell all on his own 10 yards out. But a magnificent, brave, save at the striker's feet by Bennett saved his team.

Another of Birmingham's Merseyside contingent came on at the break when the visitors replaced flu victim Grainger with Dele Adebola, and the former Liverpool Schools partner of Robbie Fowler, was quick to add his weight to the attack.

But Everton showed a more positive streak after what must have been choice words from manager Smith at the break.

Everton broke away after 56 minutes with Mark Pembridge surging down the middle and setting up Hutchison, but the Scot's shot was blocked by a combination of Rowett and Charlton.

A minute later Campbell found himself in space on the left, and his low cross shot was kicked off the line by Johnson.

Everton were denied a goal after 60 minutes when Campbell dived to head in a Jeffers flick following a Hutchison free-kick, but the big striker was marginally offside.

Everton's surge continued with Bennett making a fine save from Barmby, before Campbell broke into the box to fire a shot fractionally wide of the far post.

Bennett again was the hero when he plunged out at Campbell's feet to block a close-range effort after Jeffers' clever turn and cross had set up his strike partner.

Everton were running out of ideas against disciplined defending when the penalty arrived after 76 minutes.

Barmby turned sharply in the box and went down under substitute Eddie Newton's challenge. Birmingham's defenders had complained about Barmby's speed in hitting the turf a few minutes earlier, and Charlton angrily confronted the former England man, who pushed him away.

But referee David Elleray had pointed to the spot, and Unsworth stepped up to calmly roll the ball home and send Goodison wild.

Bennett continued to be Birmingham's hero with a stunning one-handed save from a swerving Barmby free-kick with six minutes left.

And when David Holdsworth brought down Campbell in the last of three minutes of injury time, Unsworth was on hand again to drive in the final nail.

Birmingham went home knowing they had not been disgraced, while Everton were more than a little relieved that Unsworth, at least, could keep his head while all around there were many who could not.

Teams:

Everton: Gerrard, Unsworth, Gough, Weir, Dunne (Watson 77), Pembridge, Hutchison, Collins, Barmby, Jeffers (Gemmill 80), Campbell.

Subs Not Used: Ball, Moore, Simonsen.

Goals: Unsworth 75 pen, 90 pen.

Birmingham: Bennett, Grainger (Adebola 46), Holdsworth, Charlton, Johnson, Rowett, Hughes, Hyde, O'Connor, Robinson (Newton 62), Marcelo (Lazaridis 62).

Subs Not Used: Poole, Purse.

Booked: Rowett.

Att: 25,405

Ref: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).