Birmingham 1-3 Southend

Southend breathed new life into their relegation battle by earning a shock win over title hopefuls Birmingham.

Southend fell behind when Rowan Vine chested on Sebastian Larsson's cross and Peter Clarke put into his own net.

Southend levelled through Kevin Maher's shot, although Jamal Campbell-Ryce did seem to handle in the build-up.

Freddy Eastwood's shot on the turn took a deflection as Southend took the lead and Mark Gower's pin-point 84th-minute strike sealed an unlikely win.

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Birmingham boss Steve Bruce:
"We've had a horrible night after starting so brightly.

"We have to handle things better. If we thought we were just going to swan away with the league and be big-time Charlies then it isn't going to happen.

"Individually and collectively we fell short. You need quite a few people to perform if you are going to get results and I can't think of anyone who did."

Southend manager Steve Tilson:
"It was a fantastic result and performance. We showed a lot of spirit and desire to get a victory.

"We are on an upward spiral and must keep this run going as long as we can, we've got a platform to build on.

"To come here and get something was a big ask for us. If we can get a result here, there's no reason why we can't get results at other places."

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Birmingham: Maik Taylor, N'Gotty (Muamba 58), Martin Taylor, Upson, Sadler, Larsson (Campbell 73), Nafti (Clemence 58), Johnson, McSheffrey, Jerome, Vine.
Subs Not Used: Doyle, Danns.

Goals: Clarke 9 og.

Southend: Flahavan, Hunt, Clarke, Barrett, Hammell, Campbell-Ryce, McCormack (Francis 79), Gower, Maher, Eastwood, Bradbury (Harrold 87).
Subs Not Used: Welch, Sodje, Hooper.

Booked: McCormack.

Goals: Maher 22, Eastwood 48, Gower 84.

Att: 19,177

Ref: P Armstrong (Berkshire).