Birmingham City 0 Barnsley 5: Four-goal Davies the hero as Reds hammer Blues in record fashion

Barnsley were beaten at the death at Ewood Park by the promotion favourites, but took their performance from that match into St Andrew’s on Saturday evening.

In front of the television cameras, much-travelled striker Craig Davies doubled his tally for the season with a four-goal haul in the second half, after Stephen Foster had opened the scoring, as Birmingham capitulated under heavy pressure.

To the delight of the travelling fans, Barnsley produced a scintillating display of attacking football which belied their lowly league position before the start of the game.

It was only Barnsley’s third win at St Andrew’s since October 1950, their first away win since January 14 and their best away success in 30 years.

They completely destroyed a disjointed Birmingham team, previously beaten only twice in 27 home games, with five goals in a 24-minute spell.

Hill was understandably delighted with his side’s success.

He said: “There is no better result but we performed equally well against Blackburn in midweek and were beaten.

“I am really pleased for everyone who believes in what we are trying to achieve at Barnsley.

“Craig Davies takes the honours but this performance has been achieved from the groundwork he put in last season.

“You have to keep players to educate them and Davies is a mobile target man who scores goals. It’s as simple as that.

“If we play through Craig Davies we will score goals. When he plays like he did against Birmingham then the relationship with (Chris) Dagnall, (Tomasz) Cywka and (Jacob) Mellis is evident.

“The game was going similarly to the Blackburn match when we dominated possession.

“On this occasion we really clicked and deservedly won the match.

“It was especially rewarding to me to see my side play so well.

“I have great belief in my players and I thought we could match Birmingham and out-perform Birmingham but didn’t know we could get a result.

“I have gone through a lot of ups and downs to get the players I want to build a squad. It is essential we keep these players.”

His opposite number Lee Clark said: “Losing any game at home is a massive disappointment but to lose by this margin is devastating.

“We were lucky it was goalless at half-time in all honesty. It was a totally flat performance in every aspect. Barnsley played through us. It’s an awful performance.

“First and foremost, as the leader, I have to apologise to everyone associated with the football club.”

Birmingham: Butland, Spector, Caldwell, Ibanez, Murphy (Ambrose 25), Burke, Mullins (Redmond 55), Elliott, Fahey, King, Lita (Zigic 61). Unused substitutes: Doyle, Davies, Lovenkrands, Morrison.

Barnsley: Alnwick, Kennedy, Foster, Wiseman, Golbourne, Dawson, Cranie, Mellis, Cywka, Davies (Harewood 85), Dagnall (Rose 87). Unused substitutes: Steele, Done, Perkins, Etuhu, Noble-Lazarus.

Referee: D Drysdale (Lincolnshire).

Man of the match: Craig Davies.