A double from Jay Stansfield saw Birmingham City come from behind to beat Rotherham United and extend their lead at the top of League One.

Stansfield cancelled out Sam Nombe’s opener nine minutes after half-time before notching an 81st minute penalty to secure another home win for Blues. Blues also extended their unbeaten run to 17 games across all competitions.

Debutant Kieran Dowell twice worked visiting goalkeeper Dillon Phillips in the opening eight minutes. Dowell’s wicked free-kick was tipped over the bar by Phillips and the on-loan Rangers man swept an effort goalwards from the resulting corner that the goalkeeper clung on to.

READ MORE: Chris Davies reveals what was said in Steve Evans and Taylor Gardner-Hickman fracas

READ MORE: Steve Evans claims he warned EFL in furious rant after Birmingham City defeat

Two more chances arrived for Blues inside 30 minutes. The first was created by Keshi Anderson down the left and lashed goalwards by Stansfield, who turned smartly inside the box to work a yard of space, but Phillips positioned a strong right arm correctly to keep it out. Ethan Laird managed to keep the attack alive for Lyndon Dykes to poke wide of goal from six yards.

Despite Blues’ dominance, Rotherham had an excellent chance to take the lead before half-time through ex-Aston Villa man Andre Green. Green’s header beat Ryan Allsop but Ben Davies did brilliantly to get back and clear off the goal-line.

Blues’ defenders weren’t so alert when Rotherham played a short corner in the 44th minute. Substitute Dan Gore whipped the ball in and Nombe headed home from close range.

Chris Davies resisted the urge to make changes at half-time and his players repaid his faith within nine minutes of the restart. Dowell crossed to the far post for Dykes to nod the ball down and Stansfield reacted sharply to flick the ball into the far corner from close range.

Blues should have had another soon after when Laird met Anderson’s right-wing delivery. The Blues right-back was unmarked inside the box but headed wide of goal.

Davies introduced Marc Leonard, Scott Wright and Alfie May to chase a winner. Wright crossed for Stansfield to stab wide with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Stansfield wasn’t to be denied the winner and it arrived via his sixth penalty of the season. Taylor Gardner-Hickman was tripped by Millers skipper Hakeem Odoffin and Stansfield stepped up, firing an unstoppable shot low and hard to Phillips’ right.

Second-placed Wycombe were pegged back by relegation battlers Cambridge United late on to draw 1-1, meaning Blues now have a four-point lead and two games-in-hand.

Ryan Allsop 7

Allsop continues to use the ball extremely well with his feet. One long ball in the second half drifted over every Rotherham player to land on Stansfield’s right boot. Is there a better goalkeeper outside the Premier League with the ball at their feet?

Ethan Laird 8

Laird put in another good performance down the right flank and created some good chances. It was Laird who put it on a plate for Dykes to poke wide in the first half. His improvement since the turn of the year is clear for all to see.

Christoph Klarer 7

Klarer defended well and stepped up the field in the second half as Blues searched for a winner. He will be frustrated to concede from a set piece having been so dominant all season.

Ben Davies 7.5

Davies deserves credit for an outstanding goal-line clearance in the first half when Green looked destined to score. He defended solidly throughout and mopped up anything in behind.

Alex Cochrane 7

Cochrane dovetailed nicely with Anderson in the first half and tucked inside to form a defensive three with Klarer and Davies when in possession. Good luck to the left-back Blues sign before the transfer window shuts.

Tomoki Iwata 7.5

Everyone was relieved to see Iwata in the line-up and he performed to his usual high standards in and out of possession. There was a spell in the second half before Blues scored their second when every time Rotherham cleared the ball Iwata was on hand to pick up the pieces and start another attack.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman 9

The midfielder is a bundle of energy and set the tone for Blues’ press, alongside Stansfield. Gardner-Hickman won the penalty with a wonderful slalom through midfield before being felled by Odoffin.

Kieran Dowell 7

Dowell demonstrated all the qualities Blues signed him for. He showed ingenuity in possession and played his part in the goal with the pre-assist to find Dykes who set up Stansfield.

Lyndon Dykes 6.5

The Scot had another effective game and grabbed an important assist for Stansfield. He will, however, regret not taking a gilt-edged chance in the first half.

Keshi Anderson 7

Anderson continued his good form with another lively 60-minute showing. He got in behind Rotherham on plenty of occasions and threatened to deliver a telling cut-back. Anderson’s cross for Laird’s header in the second half was a peach.

Jay Stansfield 8

Stansfield added another two goals to take his League One collection to 14 (and counting). When Blues have needed a match-winner this season, Stansfield has invariably stepped up. The scorer of important goals strikes again.

SUBS

Marc Leonard (for Dykes, 62) 6

Leonard added energy in midfield to ensure Blues’ press lasted for 90 minutes.

Alfie May (for Anderson, 62) 6

May tried to combine with Stansfield on a couple of occasions playing in a slightly deeper role once more.

Scott Wright (for Dowell, 62) 6.5

Wright offered speed and impact on the left flank and went beyond his man at every opportunity.

Grant Hanley (for Stansfield, 85) N/A

Krystian Bielik (for Iwata, 85) N/A

Not used: Peacock-Farrell, Harris

Attendance: 24,393 (518)