Birmingham City took a giant step towards automatic promotion to the Championship with a 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town thanks to Keshi Anderson's second half screamer.

Anderson belted home just after half-time at the John Smith's Stadium to hand Blues a double over their promotion rivals. Blues weren't able to extend their lead at the top of League One, which stands at two points, but they are now eight ahead in the race for the automatics.

Huddersfield striker Dion Charles had the first chance of note inside two minutes. He was found by Ruben Roosken’s cross from the left but the header was straight down Ryan Allsop’s throat.

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Allsop quickly turned creator for Blues by picking out Ethan Laird’s run in behind Huddersfield’s back-line with a raking long pass. Laird’s ball across goal wasn’t precise enough for Jay Stansfield or Lyndon Dykes and the latter could only force Terriers stopper Jacob Chapman into a routine save.

Christoph Klarer had an opportunity shortly before half-time when Alex Cochrane floated a free-kick onto his head inside the Huddersfield six-yard box. Klarer couldn’t get over the ball and looped a header onto the roof of the net.

Blues broke the deadlock four minutes into the second half with a spectacular strike from Anderson. The winger took Taylor Gardner-Hickman’s header on the chest 20 yards out before unleashing a ferocious volley that flew over Chapman’s head in front of the sold-out away end.

Chris Davies' side didn't have to work hard to protect their lead, with Huddersfield offering very little to trouble Allsop's goal from thereon. Terriers boss Michael Duff threw all of his attacking substitutes on and Davies combated that by introducing defenders Krystian Bielik and Grant Hanley late on to see the game out.

While it wasn't as comfortable a one-nil victory for Blues as the game at St Andrew's in October, no one can deny that they were worthy victors in Huddersfield. Wycombe are just about keeping pace after a comeback win over Barnsley but Wrexham's defeat to Stevenage means Blues have an eight-point cushion to third, with two games-in-hand.

Ryan Allsop 8

The goalkeeper’s passing range was absolutely superb. Time and time again Allsop found Laird in behind Huddersfield’s defence with a raking long pass. Allsop was good with his hands too on his way to another clean sheet.

Ethan Laird 8

Laird’s athleticism was an asset to Blues as the John Smith’s Stadium. Yes, the end product could have been better, but Laird’s ability to get in behind gives Blues another attacking dimension.

Christoph Klarer 8

The defender’s decision making is so good. He plays when he can but Klarer combines that composure with a no nonsense approach to defending that means he doesn’t take risks. He didn’t give Huddersfield’s forwards a sniff of goal.

Ben Davies 8

The on-loan Rangers man is a vital component of the best defence in League One. Davies got his head on almost everything that came his way and showed composure in possession.

Alex Cochrane 7

Cochrane produced a typically solid defensive performance at left-back and offered Blues good delivery from set pieces on the right. One first half delivery found Klarer and the might have done more with his header.

Tomoki Iwata 8

You wouldn’t have known Iwata had only come through a few training sessions to start this game. Iwata was perfect in possession and completely controlled midfield, almost on his own at times with Leonard given licence to roam forward. You feel confident that Blues will get the right result with Iwata in the team so the sight of him being helped off the field late on is concerning.

Marc Leonard 7

Leonard showed the legs to play between both boxes in a slightly different role now that Iwata is back. The Scot seems to have a good understanding with Iwata.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman 7.5

The versatile midfielder played on the right-wing but he tucked into midfield at times to ensure Blues weren’t outnumbered. Gardner-Hickman produced a tireless performance and got the assist for Anderson’s goal.

Keshi Anderson 8*

Anderson provided a moment of magic just after half-time to put Blues on course for victory. It was another superb shift from Anderson who looked Blues’ most dangerous player even before he lashed the ball into the Huddersfield net.

Lyndon Dykes 6.5

Dykes is giving the team an aerial option and won eight headers against Huddersfield – more than any other Blues player. His link play wasn’t bad either, but you would like to see more goal threat, even in this slightly deeper role.

Jay Stansfield 6

Stansfield was relatively quiet up front. The striker didn’t have a chance of note but pressed well and won a free-kick in a good position in the first half with a neat piece of skill.

SUBS

Scott Wright (for Anderson, 67) 6

Wright had his moments but Blues had settled into protection mode by the time the Scot took to the field.

Krystian Bielik (for Iwata, 80) N/A

Kieran Dowell (for Stansfield, 80) N/A

Grant Hanley (for Gardner-Hickman, 87) N/A

Alfie May (for Dykes, 87) N/A

Not used: Peacock-Farrell, Harris

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