Championship: Birmingham 2 Ipswich 1

An injury-time winner from Nikola Zigic helped Birmingham defeat Ipswich 2-1 and climb to ninth place in the Championship on Wednesday.

Hosts Birmingham led thanks to a strike from Zigic in the ninth minute of the match at St Andrews.

The Serbia international headed home following David Murphy’s throw-in and a flick-on by Curtis Davies.

Former Valencia man Zigic went close again five minutes later, heading the ball into the side netting from a corner.

The visitors levelled against the run of play in the 19th minute, when Lee Martin launched an impressive strike from distance that flew past Birmingham goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.

Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, making his Ipswich debut after joining on loan from Reading, kept out another Zigic header in the 27th minute.

Chances were limited early in the second half, but Ipswich striker Jason Scotland did see a shot deflected wide of goal, while Martin had a strike blocked by Davies.

Marlon King went closest for Birmingham with a header on 75 minutes, but his effort hit the post.

Ipswich had a penalty claim turned down in the 80th minute, when Michael Chopra looked to have been brought down by Steve Caldwell.

And just when it appeared the match would end in a draw, Zigic was on hand to snatch all three points when he netted on the rebound in the 91st minute.

The victory lifts Birmingham up to ninth on the table, two points back from the playoff places and with a game in hand over their immediate opponents.

Ipswich meanwhile are 20th, just three points clear of the relegation zone following their third defeat in succession.