Four goals from Nikola Zigic gave Birmingham a fine 4-1 away win over Leeds tonight.

Ross McCormack had put the home side ahead after 19 minutes, but a first-half goal and three goals in the space of seven second-half minutes for the Serbian striker handed the Blues the three points.

The hosts started brightly, almost taking the lead in the opening minutes when David Murphy was forced to clear an effort off the line.

Luciano Becchio then went close on two occasions, once being denied from close range by Boaz Myhill before somehow directing his shot wide when one-on-one with the Birmingham keeper.

The visitors nearly punished Leeds' lax finishing in the 17th minute when Chris Burke found himself in on goal, but his chip was tipped over by Andy Lonergan.

The home side were ahead just a minute later, however, when a poor defensive clearance by Caldwell fell to Ross McCormack, who fired his side ahead from the edge of the penalty area.

Leeds continued to look comfortable, but were hit on the counter-attack by the away side.

A cross from Elliot found Zigic, who made no mistake with his header, levelling the sides.

The hosts continued to press for another goal in the second half, and it took a fine piece of goalkeeping by Myhill to prevent it when he saved a close-range header from Becchio.

Myhill was called into action again just moments later, once more denying Becchio with another good save.

The visitors continued to threaten on the break, and went ahead against the run of play when Burke did well to feed Zigic, who smashed it past Lonergan.

Zigic compounded the home side's misery even further three minutes later when he met Morgaro Gomis's ball in to power an unstoppable header past Lonergan and complete his hat-trick.

The Blues striker completed his three goals in seven minutes with yet another header, this time from Jordon Mutch's corner.