FAST BOWLER GIVES BRUM MORE BLUES

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JOSH BOWLER’S goal gave Cardiff City an away win at Birmingham to pile more misery on the relegationthreatened Blues, who remain one point adrift of safety.

Victory for the Bluebirds meant they picked up their eighth win on the road this season, with the Blues winning only once in their last 10 league games.

Birmingham had the first opportunity of the evening when midfielder Koji Miyoshi picked up a corner from just inside the box.

His effort rattled off the near post and Karlan Grant was on hand to help the visitors clear the danger.

Cardiff had their first clear-cut chance with just under 15 minutes remaining in the first half.

Grant carried the ball from the half-way line to the edge of the box before striker Yakou Meite took hold of the ball and got a shot away, but keeper John Ruddy saved.

Jordan James showed a moment of brilliance for Birmingham minutes later, with Ethan Laird cutting inside before playing it onto James.

From just outside the box the midfielder unleashed a curling effort goalward, which whistled over the crossbar.

In additional time of the first half, centre-back Dimitrios Goutas picked up the ball halfway up the pitch before going on a scintillating run through the middle and unleashing a shot which caused no trouble to Ruddy.

Cardiff found the opener just past the hour mark in a quiet opening second half after substitute Rubin Colwill cut inside before passing to Bowler (above) in the box.

With a one-touch finish, the forward guided it past the diving Ruddy to break the deadlock.

The visitors went close to a second with under 20 minutes remaining through Grant. The ex-west Brom ace went on a weaving run before hitting a shot, but Ruddy pushed it away for a corner.