Birmingham City have claimed a 1-0 win over Cardiff City in Friday night's Championship encounter at St Andrew's.

The hosts began brightly as Isaac Vassell found space in the Cardiff box just four minutes in, but the opposition defender put the 24-year-old off, allowing goalkeeper Neil Etheridge to collect the ball.

Neither side was able to carve out a concrete chance in the opening quarter-hour but, on 19 minutes, Neil Etheridge's miscued clearance allowed Che Adams to pick up possession in midfield.

Cardiff's backline failed to deal with the 21-year-old, who marauded into the box, cut in from the left and scored his fourth goal of the season with a clean finish beyond Neil Etheridge.

Birmingham held on to their lead at the break and, after the restart, continued to bear down on the opposition goal, with Adams coming close on several occasions, while Joe Ralls almost put the ball into his own net in the 55th minute.

Neil Warnock's charges could not find an equaliser, with the final whistle ensuring that Steve Cotterill's spell in charge of Birmingham began with a win.