Birmingham 3 Middlesbrough 0: Stewart Downing sliced into his own net to put Birmingham on the way to a convincing victory which took them above Middlesbrough in the Premier League.

Mikael Forssell added a second and Gary McSheffrey converted a late penalty to give the Blues all three points at St Andrews.

Undermined by shaky defending, Boro never really found their stride and when they did create chances, Maik Taylor stood firm in the Birmingham goal.

Boro's problems at the back came in spite of the presence of Jonathan Woodgate, who had been passed fit after problems with cramp in recent games.

After a slow start, Birmingham began to come into the game after a Sebastian Larsson free-kick forced George Boateng into an awkward clearance over his own bar.

Mark Schwarzer then had a moment of alarm in the Boro goal when he lost the ball under pressure from Fabrice Muamba but recovered.

But there was nothing the Australian keeper could do as Birmingham claimed the lead after a McSheffrey free-kick in the 22nd minute. Julio Arca was booked for a clumsy challenge on Cameron Jerome on the right and McSheffrey's resulting set-piece was diverted past Schwarzer by Downing.

Tuncay had Boro's best chance of the first half when he headed a Fabio Rochemback free-kick straight at Taylor.

Birmingham went close to a second just before the interval when Forssell fired into the side-netting after Boro missed several opportunities to clear. But Boro failed to learn the lesson and Forssell turned in a second from close range after Jerome flicked a Larsson corner across the face of goal.

Forssell found the net again early in the second half but the Finn was ruled offside from a McSheffrey header.

Having struggled to make an impression, Boro at last started to enjoy a good spell midway through the second half although a shot by Arca flew well over.

Lee Dong-Gook, introduced at half-time by Boro, got into a good position at the other end soon after but was unable to get on the end of a Boateng cross.

Tuncay then tested Taylor for the first time with an effort from 25 yards but the Northern Ireland goalkeeper palmed over.

Jaidi also survived a penalty claim as the ball flicked his arm during a clumsy attempt at a clearance.

Yet Birmingham were awarded a spot-kick after Huth and Rochemback combined to bring down McSheffrey in stoppage time. McSheffrey coolly finished the job with the last kick of the game.