Birmingham City vs Bristol City live updates

LIVEUpdated 1 min agoBirmingham City 2-0 Bristol City LIVE: Reds have work to do as Blues extend lead at St Andrew'sLive updates from St Andrew's as Roy Hodgson and Bristol City take on Birmingham City in the Championship (3:00pm kick-off)SportDaniel CarterHello and welcome to this afternoon's live blog, where we will be bringing you live updates from St Andrew's as Bristol City and Roy Hodgson take on Birmingham City in their final away game of the season.

It has been just a couple of days since the Robins were last in action, with Tuesday evening's trip to Southampton a memorable one for supporters. Hodgson's side were able to avoid back-to-back defeats as a Sam Bell brace saw the points shared in a 2-2 draw.

For this afternoon's opponents, however, midweek was even more positive. Birmingham climbed above the Reds and up to 10th in the Championship table as they beat Preston North End 2-1 at St Andrew's on Wednesday evening, thanks to goals from Jay Stansfield and Ibrahim Osman.

With a win over the Reds today, Chris Davies' side will find themselves in a strong position to secure a top-half finish. For the Robins, three points this afternoon could see them move back ahead of Blues, depending on results elsewhere in the division.

When these two sides met at Ashton Gate earlier this season, Sinclair Armstrong secured all three points for Gerhard Struber's side as he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win. On the Robins' last visit to St Andrew's, Wayne Rooney's Blues held Liam Manning's Reds to a goalless draw.

Hodgson and his players will be eager to end the campaign away from Ashton Gate on a positive note and secure a first win in four matches.

You can follow all the action, as it happens, here...

New UpdatesKey EventsHalf-time: Birmingham 2-0 Bristol CityView PostGoal: Birmingham 2-0 Bristol City [Solis]View PostKick-off! We're underway at St Andrew'sView PostBristol City starting XI as Hodgson makes no changesView PostToday15:59 BSTRob Dickie emerges in full kitWe may be reading too much into this, but Rob Dickie has just emerged on the St Andrew's pitch in full kit. He is the only sub wearing such a get-up, with the rest having a quarter zip or a bib on, so perhaps he could be set to be introduced.

Daniel CarterToday15:47 BSTHalf-time: Birmingham 2-0 Bristol CityThe Robins have plenty of work to do here after the restart. Goals from Phil Nuemann and Jhon Solis are the difference between the two sides at the break and while the Reds have had chances of their own, they can have few complaints about being behind, so far.

I think we may see Hodgson shuffle the pack slightly after or during the restart.

Daniel CarterToday15:45 BST45+1Two added minutesI think Roy Hodgson will just be keen to get his side back in the chaning room. That is, unless, they're able to conjur up some magic late on in injury time.

Daniel Carter‌Today15:44 BST44Foul on McCrorieThe Scotsman does well here under a crossed ball aimed at Priske. He gets ahead of his man and draws a foul, while keeping him away from the pass.

Daniel CarterToday15:43 BST43Horvat volleys overThis sums up the Robins' afternoon so far. A nice interchange between Sam Bell and Twine ends with the former chipping a ball into the area, that bounces out to Sam Morsy.

He tries his luck on the half-volley, but kicks the air instead of the ball. His blushes are spared, however, when the ball lands at Horvat's feet and he tries his luck. His right-footed shot flies over the bar and behind for a goal kick.

Daniel CarterToday15:41 BST41Corner comes to nothingBlues whip the resulting corner towards the back post, where one or two players, marked by Ross McCrorie have peeled off. But the ball ends up behind for a goal kick.

At the other end, Sam Bell goes to ground looking for a penalty after some good work from Burgzorg. The referee isn't interested and play is waved on.

Daniel Carter‌Today15:39 BST39Blues cornerA cross from the right wing is blocked behind for a Blues' corner. This has the feeling of an end-of-season clash, I have to say as the home side take their time over the set-piece.

Daniel CarterToday15:37 BST37Horvat's shot is blockedThat's a little bit better from City. A good pass down the left side of the box has Horvat in some space and from there, he tries his luck with a low, left-footed shot.

It is struck well enough, but it deflects up and into a Blues player, who is able to clear away from danger. Things just haven't clicked for City so far.

Daniel CarterToday15:34 BST34Borges' shot is blockedThe defender takes aim after some good feet midway inside the Blues' half and gets a good shot away with his left foot. The home side block it with ease and nobody can profit from the rebound.

Daniel Carter‌Today15:33 BST33Vitek couldn't do much moreWe've just seen the goalline technology replay during a stoppage in play and, I have to say, Vitek could have done little more to prevent that goal. He was at full stretch to start with.

Daniel CarterToday15:29 BST29Goal: Birmingham 2-0 Bristol City [Solis]Oh dear this is a bad goal to concede. Vitek passes the ball to Morsy on the edge of the City penalty area and the midfielder aims to flick possession into Eile who is stationed to his left.

His pass skews up into the air, however and Solis is the man to meet it. With his right foot, he passes the ball towards goal where, despite his best efforts, Vitek can't keep it out.

The Robins have a mountain to climb.

Daniel CarterToday15:27 BST27Bell's radar is offA little bit of good fortune allows Bell to dispossess Gray on the right wing and with his right foot, he aims to chip a ball over the top of the backline for Horvat to chase.

The idea is good, the execution, not so much. The ball races behind for a Blues goal kick.

Daniel Carter‌Today15:26 BST26McCrorie and Bell mix-upVitek gets the ball down on the ground here to chip a ball towards the right touchline where McCrorie is breaking forward with pace. The Scotsman jumps high to flick down the line, but Bell has gone for the header rather than make the run.

The attack comes to nothing.

Daniel CarterToday15:24 BST23Big save from Vitek!That is an excellent effort from the United loanee to keep the host's lead to one goal. A cross from the right wing lands at the feet of Gray at the back post and he guides a shot towards the bottom left corner.

Vitek gets down quickly to claw it out of the corner.

Daniel CarterToday15:22 BST22Clever from BurgzorgEile is required to clear his lines as Gray swings a cross from the left wing into the penalty area, and the Swede's effort is flicked on by Horvat into the path of Burgzorg.

The striker does well to hold off his man, hold up the ball and win a free-kick.

Daniel Carter‌Today15:20 BST19Gray goes close!This is some effort from the Birmingham City man. He lines up the free-kick and gets it around the wall with a driven right-footed attempt. It has Vitek scrambling, but he is able to watch it just wide of the post.

I think he'd have had it covered.

Daniel CarterToday15:18 BST19Foul by EileThe defender catches Priske and the home side will have a free-kick around about 25 yards from goal. I think that looked a little harsh, but Eile is judged to have arrived a little bit late.

Daniel CarterToday15:17 BST17Comes to nothingBirmingham are the side to make the first contact with the first corner and they are able to clear as far as Pring on the halfway line. He passes into Morsy who has time to pick a pass with the home side camped on the edge of their own box.

He opts to chip into the box, but he picks out Beadle who claims with ease.

Daniel Carter‌Today15:16 BST15And another cornerCity take the first corner short to Morsy and the midfielder curls a cross to the back post. Beadle has to take emergency action and turn behind for another corner.

This one is nodded behind for yet another City corner.

Daniel CarterToday15:15 BST15Deflected behind for a cornerTwine's free-kick catches the head of someone in the wall, and the Robins have a corfner...

Daniel CarterToday15:14 BST14Foul on HorvatThe Slovenian does well to turn his man midway inside the Blues' half and draw a foul. Paik is the man booked for the challenge, I think.

Twine will fancy this one... It's some 25 yards out.

Daniel Carter‌Today15:12 BST12Borges hacks clearThe home side appear to be targeting City's left as a long raking ball is chipped over the top of Pring. The defender does very well to keep possession and nudge back to Borges who is able to hack clear.

Daniel CarterToday15:08 BST8Goal: Birmingham City 1-0 Bristol City [Neumann]The home side take the lead and on a first watch, that looks far, far too easy. The resulting free-kick is whipped into the City penalty area by Blues and Nuemann is in acres of space inside the box to volley into the right side of the goal.

It is some finish from the lad, but he should never, ever have that much space.

Daniel CarterToday15:07 BST7Foul by PringThe home have a corner on the right wing, midway through the City half after a foul by Pring...

Daniel Carter‌Today15:06 BST6Corner comes to nothingAfter that very good effort, Twine is the man to take the resulting corner. He looks to curl a cross to the back post with his right foot, but gets far too much on it.

Burgzorg tries to move to keep it in play, but it is behind for a goal kick before he can meet it.

Daniel CarterToday15:05 BST5City corner as Twine forces a save!Scott Twine takes aim with his right foot from range and very nearly catches Beadle out. The Blues keeper does well to rise and turn over his bar for a City corner...

Daniel CarterToday15:03 BST3Horvat does wellThe attacking midfielder looks to work the ball down the left wing and wins a throw in after some good play from Morsy.

Daniel Carter‌Today15:01 BST1Twine's pass races throughAn early City throw is headed into Twine by Eile. The attacking midfielder looks to nudge Burgzorg, in-behind but his pass has too much on it and races through to Beadle.

At the other end, a Blues' shot flies closer to the corner flag than the goal.

Daniel CarterToday15:00 BST1Kick-off! We're underway at St Andrew'sFor one final time on the road this season, we are underway. Bristol City, in their white and black away kit, will be attacking towards the travelling fans in the opening period. It is short sleeves all around, bar Noah Eile, who has stuck with the long-sleeve thermal.

We'll bring you all the action as it unfolds here this afternoon, here...

Daniel CarterToday14:56 BSTHere come the teamsAfter a rendition of Mr Blue Sky from the home supporters and a bit of Welcome to the Jungle, we are very, very nearly ready to get underway at St Andrew's. Both sets of players have just emerged from the tunnel and are making their way towards the centre-circle.

There may not be all too much riding on this one, but City will be very, very, very keen to finish their away season with a win.