Last Updated: Tue, 03 Apr 2012 22:04
Birmingham overcame a second-half Burnley fightback to steal a march on their npower Championship play-off rivals following a 3-1 victory at Turf Moor.
Marlon King fired his 16th of the season to give Blues an early lead. Nikola Zigic won a flick-on from David Murphy's throw-in and the striker was allowed room in the box to fire goalwards. Lee Grant got a strong arm to the shot and was unfortunate to have the ball ricochet off his head and into the net.
The home side were sparked into life by the introduction of Junior Stanislas before the hour and forward duo Danny Ings and Charlie Austin both hit the crossbar before the former levelled with a firm header from a Ross Wallace cross.
Chris Hughton's men responded instantly and Jordon Mutch netted his first goal for the club with 15 minutes to play with a neat finish, leaving Murphy to apply gloss to the scoreline when Grant dropped Mutch's cross.
Birmingham are now three points clear of seventh-placed Middlesbrough, who are outside the top six on goal difference, having won their game in hand on the clutch of teams on 63 points.
At the turn of the year Eddie Howe's Clarets also harboured play-off ambitions but they remain 16th and on a run of four wins in 16 matches.
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