Stansfield and Osman fire Birmingham up to 10th | OneFootball

Birmingham City beat Preston North End 2-1 at St Andrew's to rise from 14th to 10th in the Championship.

Jay Stansfield opened the scoring in the 10th minute, turning in Ibrahim Osman's pass from close range.

Osman doubled the lead (16.) with a low finish from a corner. Andrew Hughes halved the deficit for Preston from close range (25.).

After the restart, James Beadle preserved Birmingham's lead with sharp stops from Milutin Osmajic (55.) and again (60.). He then denied Lewis Dobbin (69.), Carlos Vicente struck the right post (75.) and Beadle tipped over Daniel Jebbison's header (81.).

Demarai Gray, on for the injured Osman before the interval, forced Daniel Iversen into a late save (86.).

Five minutes were added in each half as Preston pressed, but Birmingham's defence held firm.

Birmingham registered 18 attempts and struck the woodwork once. Preston also produced 18 attempts, with Beadle making four saves.

Next, Birmingham host Bristol City. Preston visit Sheffield United.