Birmingham City 1 Cardiff City 0: Larsson's mudlark has Birmingham back on top

It was Birmingham City's turn, yet again, yesterday to claim the hot seat in that enthralling game of musical chairs otherwise known as the Championship promotion race. However, the manner in which they plonked themselves down at the top of the table was far from convincing. Indeed, on another day they could have easily ended up flat on their backsides.

The pitch would certainly have helped in that regard. Dave Jones, the aggrieved Cardiff City manager who had just watched his own Premiership chasers somewhat cruelly shot down by Sebastian Larsson, labelled the St Andrew's surface "unplayable", "a bog" and commented that "I wouldn't even put horses on it". "That, out there, was like the soufflé I had last night," he added, before agreeing that the rain had been awful.

Steve Bruce, his Birmingham counterpart, all but concurred. "The pitch is a flaming hindrance," he barked. Bruce did point out that had the much-maligned turf not been relaid six weeks ago "there was no chance we would have played today", but acknowledged it is still nowhere near an adequate standard. "It's totally disappointing," he admitted. "Somehow, we need to get better playing conditions."

The first half, at least, hinted that they could do with better players as well. The visitors dominated those early exchanges with such gusto that a 2-0 interval advantage would have been by no means undeserved. But the division's top scorer, Michael Chopra, saw a penalty appeal turned down and their captain, Riccardo Scimeca, saw a header turned away.

There were other chances, too, most notably in the 25th minute when Chopra leapt on a Martin Taylor error to reach the byline and pull the ball across to within a few inches of Steven Thompson. "I was sitting there, thinking that it was just a matter of time," Jones said later. "There was only one team ever going to win it."

His exuberance was understandable, if slightly misplaced. For in the last knockings of the first half, Birmingham began to find their feet, with Rowan Vine, in particular, wallowing in the mud. His rasping strike from 25 yards proved to be a warning to Cardiff and a warm-up for the crowd.

A ticket promotion had seen the "sold out" signs put up outside the ground for the first time this season and in the 56th minute the old place rocked.

Gary McSheffrey, cut inside Kevin McNaughton, danced inside the box and whipped in the ball, with the help of a deflection, for Larsson to smash it inside the far post. There was more than a suspicion of offside, with Larsson, himself, looking around for the flag. But it stood and with opportunities in the worsening elements at a premium, an equaliser never looked on.

Saying that, a flashing Paul Parry volley did produce a fine save from Colin Doyle with 20 minutes remaining, although Bruce was justified in declaring that Birmingham might have extended their lead as both Cameron Jerome and Stephen Clemence went close. However, back on top of the table, their fans were not complaining.

"It's tight up there, but we've given ourselves a great chance," said Bruce. Nevertheless, with so many challengers and with so little time remaining, the proof will be in the pudding. Or in the case of St Andrew's, perhaps "on the pudding".

Goal: Larsson (56) 1-0.

Birmingham City (4-4-2): Doyle; Kelly, N'Gotty, Martin Taylor, Sadler; Larsson, Clemence, Muamba (Nafti, 72), McSheffrey; Bendtner, Vine (Jerome, 84). Substitutes not used: Maik Taylor (gk), Gray, Campbell.

Cardiff City (4-4-2): Alexander; McNaughton (Gilbert, 88), Loovens, Johnson, Ledley; Parry, McPhail, Scimeca, Whittingham; Thompson (Green, 79), Chopra. Substitutes not used: Forde (gk), Walton, Byrne.

Referee: K Friend (Leicestershire).

Booked: Birmingham Sadler; Cardiff Ledley, Johnson.

Man of the match: McSheffrey.

Attendance: 28,223.