Fourth-placed Birmingham kept up their promising start to the Sky Bet Championship season with a commanding 2-1 win over struggling QPR.
The victory was a particular milestone for veteran Paul Robinson, who recorded his first league goal for the Blues in 115 appearances. His only other goal came in the FA Cup tie against Bristol Rovers in January 2014.
Robinson's goal cancelled out Matt Phillips' 17th-minute opener, and Paul Caddis sealed the turnaround by converting a 63rd-minute penalty.
From the start Birmingham were keen to atone for their recent indifferent form at St Andrew's following two successive home defeats.
But some of the early play was untidy, with Rangers attempting to surprise Birmingham on the counter-attack.
The highlight of the opening exchanges was undoubtedly the superb diving save by Robert Green to keep out a Demarai Gray effort.
And Green's early heroics helped enable Rangers to take the lead. Phillips collected a long ball down the channel from Nedum Onuoha with his back to Birmingham's defence, and cleverly stunned the ball to drop it at his feet before despatching a rocket-like cross shot past Tomasz Kuszczak.
Birmingham's response was immediate as they increased their attacking tempo, and they were rewarded with a 25th-minute equaliser.
It came from the most unlikeliest source. Gray took a free-kick deep out on the left and, with everyone jostling for position, veteran Robinson raced around the back of Rangers defence to head home his noteworthy goal.
The London club's rearguard was opened up again by the pace of Gray. He collected an accurate low pass from the industrious Stephen Gleeson but his powerful shot was just off target.
With a disjointed Rangers obviously missing the goal threat of Charlie Austin and Jamie Mackie, there was little real threat from the visitors' attack with the exception of a speculative left-footed shot by Tjaronn Chery.
They had a let-off when Clayton Donaldson, sliding in, just missed a low cross from David Davis.
But this showed the writing was on the wall as Birmingham laid siege on Rangers' goal.
The pressure eventually paid off for Blues when Donaldson was pushed in the area by Onuoha and Caddis coolly capitalised from the penalty spot.
Rangers, who have failed to show their true potential this season, staged a late rally but were thwarted on several occasions by the tenacity of Robinson on one of his now rare first-team appearances.
Before the game there was a warm minute's applause for Howard Kendall, whose death was announced earlier in the day. The former Everton player and manager played for Birmingham at the end of his career.
English League Championship Standings
POS | Team | GP | GD | PTS |
---|
EFL Championship News
Wayne Rooney's Plymouth fight back from 3-0 down to draw
Wayne Rooney's Plymouth Argyle side fought back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with Preston North End in the Championship on Saturday.
English football regulator bill to be introduced to parliament
An independent football regulator (IFR) for the English game is a step closer to becoming reality, with the Football Governance Bill set to be introduced to parliament on Thursday in the House of Lords.
Jack Wilshere joins Norwich as first-team coach from Arsenal
Jack Wilshere has left his role as Arsenal's under-18s coach, joining Championship club Norwich City as a first-team coach in Johannes Hoff Thorup's backroom staff.
Jay-Jay Okocha scores from range in match with Samuel Eto'o & El Hadji Diouf
Former stars play in a friendly match ahead of the 46th CAF Ordinary General Assembly.
Arsenal U18 coach Jack Wilshere set to join Norwich - source
Former England midfielder Jack Wilshere is set to join Norwich City as a first-team coach, sources have told ESPN.
Wayne Rooney charged with misconduct over Plymouth red card
Wayne Rooney has been charged with misconduct by the English Football Association (FA) over his behaviour before and after being shown a red card during Plymouth Argyle's win over Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.