Birmingham 0 Wolves 2 - Report and pictures

Edwards punished Paul Robinson's error to put Wolves into a 12th minute lead. Blues had much of the play, but debutant Mike Williamson led a resolute rearguard.

Wolves defended magnificently as a team to stop the high-flying hosts and render goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez a spectator for long spells.

They sat deep and looked to hit Blues on the break, going close on a few occasions before substitute Ojo sealed the points six minutes from time.

Birmingham City: Kuszczak; Caddis, Morrison (c), Robinson, Grounds; Gleeson, Davis (Brock-Madsen 79), Kieftenbeld (Cotterill 58); Maghoma (Toral 67), Donaldson, Gray.

Subs not used: Legzdins (GK), Solomon-Otabor, Shinnie, Spector.

Wolves: Martinez; Iorfa, Batth, Williamson, Golbourne; Henry, Coady, Edwards, McDonald, Byrne (Ojo 74); Afobe (Holt 80).

Subs not used: Ikeme (GK), Price, Graham, Le Fondre.

Goals: Edwards (12), Ojo (84).

After three successive defeats, it was a hard-earned and badly-needed victory for Kenny Jackett's team.

The Wolves boss made three changes from the team that lost to Middlesbrough, handing Williamson a debut.

He recalled James Henry and restoring the fit-again Dominic Iorfa to his line-up, with injury victims Kortney Hause and Rajiv van La Parra, as well as Matt Doherty, dropping out.

Blues began on the front foot with some good early pressure, sending some dangerous balls into the Wolves box.

Williamson was called upon to make some important clearances, with Wolves struggling to get an early foothold.

But they soon began to push forward and Conor Coady drove forward, before seeing a shot blocked by Robinson.

From the resulting corner, the ball was cleared to Henry, whose cross was headed behind by Williamson at the back post.

And then, 12 minutes in, the 2,000 Wolves fans were deliriously celebrating the opening goal.

The ball looped in the Blues box, Robinson went to meet it and misjudged the flight, allowing Afobe in on goal.

His shot was smothered by goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak but only into the path of Edwards, who calmly slotted into the net.

Blues were all over the shop defensively and there was panic a few minutes later, when Henry's cross bounced off Robinson and Kuszczak spilled the rebound.

Nathan Byrne, playing on the left, then set about going on a dazzling run, cutting inside before looping not too far wide of Kuszczak's left-hand post.

Wolves were looking solid at the back and bright going forward, with Henry combining with Edwards before drilling a low effort at Tomasz Kuszczak.

The home side were enjoying plenty of possession in the Wolves third, but Jackett's team were organised and resolute, meaning Martinez had very little to do.

The vocal Williamson in particular was impressing, doing the dirty work with aplomb as Wolves went into the break one-nil up.

Blues began the second half like they did the first, putting pressure on the Wolves defence.

Clayton Donaldson rebounded a Batth clearance wide, before the same player sent a deft header not too far wide.

McDonald earned a booked after losing possession and clattering into the dangerous Donaldson.

Then Iorfa had to be alert to make an important block from Jacques Maghoma. But, from the resulting Wolves break, it was very nearly 2-0.

Byrne picked out McDonald from the left and the Scot's 18-yard effort looked in all the way until Kuszczak pulled off a magnificent save at full stretch.;

Another counter then saw Afobe curl wide of the far post after taking McDonald's pass.

Wolves were defending deeply and frustrating the home side, whose passing was becoming more erratic as the game went on.

Again they hit Blues on the break and this time had five forward, but Byrne's pass to Golbourne was over-hit and the resulting cross was blocked.

Byrne departed a minute later to a standing ovation from the away supporters, for his best performance in a Wolves shirt so far, Sheyi Ojo his replacement.

Then on came Grant Holt for the final 10 minutes, replacing Afobe.

Wolves were defending resolutely, with Blues boss Gary Rowett upset at their physical nature and a perceived lack of decisions going their way.

But the visitors carried on regardless, restricting Blues to pot-shots and crosses, with Martinez keeping his gloves clean.

They continued to pose a potent threat on the break, with Henry forcing Kuszczak into a smart save.

Then came the second goal Wolves' performance had deserved as they wrapped up the points in the 84th minute.

Super-sub Ojo cut inside from the right and, in a crowded box, picked his spot perfectly to beat Kuszczak into the far corner.

Martinez had to claim a few late crosses but Wolves weren't unduly troubled and comfortably held on for a crucial derby victory.