Birmingham City survived a second-half Blackburn Rovers comeback at Ewood Park this afternoon to extend their unbeaten Championship run to nine matches with a 3-2 win.
The Blues scored three times in the first 36 minutes courtesy of a Lee Novak double and a goal from Chris Burke, but a brace from Jordan Rhodes nearly inspired a remarkable Rovers revival.
Novak showed predatory reactions for the opening goal, converting from close range after Kyle Bartley's wild header was guided back into the danger area by Dan Burn's nodded layoff.
His second was much more spectacular as he found the top corner with a 30-yard drive on 18 minutes. Both Novak and Nicola Zigic had headed chances to extend Birmingham's lead before Burke bagged the third.
Good closing down from Novak brought about a defensive mix-up between Grant Hanley and goalkeeper Simon Eastmond which allowed Burke to pounce and put the visitors in complete control.
Rhodes had earlier struck the post with a low shot from the right edge of the area, but the woodwork would not deny him in the second half as he scored twice in the space of six minutes to give Birmingham a real scare.
A towering header at the back post from Ben Marshall's cross on 66 minutes reduced the deficit, and the Scottish international produced another smart finish after latching onto a long ball down the right.
However, Rovers were left to rue their slow start as the visitors held on to remain undefeated since November 9.
Joe Fish
