Oxford United 0-2 Birmingham City – Blues win extends unbeaten run

The home side paraded new signing Christ Makosso at the Kassam Stadium before kick-off, the Congo defender having joined on loan from Luton for the rest of the season.

The U’s made a positive start as Matt Phillips and Peart-Harris went close, but they undid all their good early work when they conceded a soft goal to gift Birmingham the lead on 23 minutes.

There was some questionable goalkeeping from Jamie Cummings as Paik’s free-kick rebounded off Peart-Harris and into his own net.

Birmingham should have doubled their lead when Jay Stansfield broke through butIbrahim Osman could not apply the final touch to his pass, instead colliding with the post.

The visitors made no mistake, though, on 66 minutes when debutant Carlos Vicente, who only joined from Alaves four days ago, flicked the ball into the path of Ducksch and he swept it into the corner from the edge of the box.

They are next in action at home to Leicester City next Saturday, while Oxford have a chance to atone when they go to Sheffield United on Tuesday evening.