Birmingham 2 Wolves 1

Kevin Phillips struck twice in the last ten minutes as Birmingham's late show broke Wolves' hearts at St Andrew's.

The former Albion striker was a 63rd minute replacement for the injured Christian Benitez and hauled Blues back into a game which was drifting away from them.

Two predatory strikes in the 80th and 85th minute won it for the hosts despite Wolves' impressive showing. The outstanding Kevin Doyle had put them ahead just before half time after they had weathered an early storm.

The result was harsh on Mick McCarthy's men, as the manager made five changes from the side who capitulated in the FA Cup at Crystal Palace.

Goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann, Stephen Ward, David Jones, Matt Jarvis and Kevin Doyle all returned for Wayne Hennessey, Richard Stearman, Nenad Milijas, Geoffrey Mujangi and Sam Vokes.

Blues had the luxury of naming an unchanged line up for the 12th successive Premier League game, but recalled Phillips to the bench following his groin injury.

The hosts started quickly and Ronald Zubar's excellent tackle halted a flying Lee Bowyer, before James McFadden's drive was headed behind.

Cameron Jerome's goalbound header was deflected over by a covering Michael Mancienne, as Wolves tried to ride out the pressure.

Blues midfielder Sebastian Larsson then hit a sweet long-range volley two yards over after 14 minute, before Hahnemann had to be alive to smother at Jerome's feet after Benitez's knockdown.

The visitors were fighting back and Dave Jones registered their first effort, when his free-kick dipped over goalkeeper Joe Hart's bar with 23 minutes gone.

Doyle was then brought down just outside the area by Hart, who was cautioned, but Jarvis' free-kick was easily cleared.

Wolves had found a foothold and Zubar should have put them ahead just after the hour, planting his header from Jarvis' free kick wide.

But Blues fought back as Jerome fired at Hahnemann and Scott Dann volleyed wide, but the visitors were now matching their in-form hosts.

They took the lead three minutes before the break when Hart superbly kept out Jarvis' deflected cross, but Doyle was on hand to tap in from three yards for his sixth goal of the season.

The home side then felt they should have had a penalty, when Zubar shoved Liam Ridgewell in the back in first-half injury time. But Wolves had a new lease of life and opened the second period brightly.

Benitez limped off after a tackle by Hahnemann to be replaced by Phillips as Blues struggled to break Wolves down, but they were seeing more of the ball as the visitors began to sit deeper.

Foley tested Hart from 18 yards before Adlene Guedioura unleashed a rasping 25-yard effort, which flew inches over with 13 minutes remaining.

But three minutes later the hosts levelled when Barry Ferguson tossed a ball to the far post, which Craig Gardner headed down for Phillips to tuck in at the near post.

The former Baggies hitman didn't finish there, grabbing the winner five minutes from time when Stephen Carr was allowed to run from deep to tee up Phillips, who found the corner with a neat volley.