Chris Hughton has issued a rallying call to his Birmingham City players, ordering them to maintain their impressive run and close in on automatic promotion.

Following their 3-1 win at Barnsley, the Blues are unbeaten in their last 15 games and have notched up five straight away victories.

Despite the superb run of results, Birmingham remain five points behind second-placed Southampton, but Hughton has urged his team to remain focused.

He said: "I think we always have to kick ourselves and remind ourselves there is still a third of the season to go. I'm quite sure in that 15 games there are going to be lots of twists and turns.

"We're in good momentum but it's not only us. Blackpool lost tonight but there is a good group of teams who are all showing good momentum. The important thing for us is that we can't take our foot off the pedal.

"We've also got two teams above us who at this moment don't look like losing a game. I certainly think that any team that finishes above West Ham and Southampton will go up automatically."

The former Newcastle manager felt his side were well worth all three points at Oakwell.

He added: "I think it's an important win for us, I thought we deserved the win over the 90 minutes but we had to defend very well at times. I think that was the basis that allowed us to take our chances and go on and win the game."

Birmingham are the only side in the division who possess an unbeaten home record this season.