No defence for Phil after howler gives Eustace edge

STOKE 1 Baker 75 (Pen) | BIRMINGHAM 2 Hogan 13, Dean 67 

- HECTOR NUNNS

BIRMINGHAM'S Stoke old boys John Eustace and Scott Hogan piled yet more home misery on the Potters.

Alex Neil saw his struggling side booed off at a ground which is anything but a fortress and where they have picked up just eight points from nine games.

But it was a joyful return for rookie Blues manager Eustace, who spent five years as a player at Stoke and scorer Scott Hogan, who was on loan at the club.

Veteran defender Phil Jagielka was horribly at fault for the in-form Hogan's first-half goal, and Harlee Dean scored his first for 18 months to double the lead.

Carl Baker pulled one back with a late penalty, but upwardly mobile Birmingham continue to shrug off financial issues surrounding the club.