Vaesen keeps the Blues on right path

Norwich City 0 Birmingham City 1

Nico Vaesen produced a wonderful penalty save to move Birmingham to within a point of the Nationwide First Division play-offs with this narrow victory over Norwich last night.

The Dutch goalkeeper dived low to his right to parry Gary Holt's 63rd-minute spot-kick as the Blues held on to take three vital points away from Carrow Road.

Steve Bruce had watched his side dominate for long periods of the match but despite their pressure the visitors were only able to find the net once.

Striker Tommy Mooney's delightful first-half backheel allowed Stern John to run clear of the Norwich defence, and he curled the ball past the goalkeeper, Robert Green, to score his fourth goal for the club.

The Canaries' excellent home form has offset their numerous poor performances on their travels this season yet they struggled to find their feet from the kick-off, but with 11 minutes gone Nigel Worthington's men almost forced the opening goal. Marc Libbra's free-kick caused confusion in the Birmingham defence and the winger Mark Rivers broke clear, only to see his powerful shot turned behind by Vaesen.

The visitors continued to press though and Mooney should have broken the deadlock on 18 minutes. Martin Grainger's dangerous free-kick was missed by Green, but Mooney crashed a header wide of the empty goal from just four yards.

However, three minutes later Birmingham deservedly broke the deadlock with John's quality low finish from the edge of the box.

Darren Purse could have settled the clash with 14 minutes left after being put clean through by Mooney, but Green rushed out to save.

Norwich City: Green; Nedergaard, Mackay, Fleming, Drury, Rivers (McVeigh, h-t), Holt, Mulryne, Easton (Llewellyn, 77), Libbra, Nielsen. Substitutes not used: Crichton (gk), Kenton, Andy Roberts.

Birmingham City: Vaesen; Kenna, Purse, Michael Johnson, Grainger, Devlin, Hughes, Woodhouse, Tommy Williams, John (Horsfield, 82), Mooney (Eaden, 89). Substitutes not used: Davis, Lazaridis, Damien Johnson.

Referee: M Messias (York).