Birmingham manager Chris Davies praised Jay Stansfield’s work ethic after he lit up St Andrew’s with the only goal of a 1-0 win to sink play-off chasing Charlton.
Stansfield’s 23rd-minute strike stretched City’s lead to nine points ahead of second-placed Wycombe, with Blues boasting a game in hand.
Victory was City’s 30th in all competitions as they extended their unbeaten Sky Bet League One run to 15 games.
It was sealed by Stansfield’s 16th league goal of the campaign and 20th in all competitions.
“It was a great goal individually but it was the bit before it that I loved the most,” said Davies.
“I loved the way he sprinted back 50 yards to defend and help the team when he didn’t need to, then sprints forward another 40 yards chasing a lost cause.
“He has the skills when he dribbled up and smashed it into the back of the net.
“But it was the work ethic, tenacity and desire to go alongside those that made it so special.”
City had all the opportunities in a game where virtually all the chances came in the first half and Davies admitted there was not much in the game.
“Charlton are one of the in-form teams in the league with one of the stronger squads and an aggressive style of play,” he said.
“In the first half we were exceptional with the way we dealt with their man-to-man pressing and energy they try to bring.
“In the second half it became very scrappy and stop start. They put lots of balls forward but we dealt with it pretty well.”
The goal came after Ethan Laird flicked on a goal-kick from Ryan Allsop, and Stansfield took it past Conor Coventry on the halfway line before lashing it into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.
Kieran Dowell almost made it 2-0 but his free-kick grazed a post, while Willum Willumsson’s curling shot from the edge of the box flew inches wide.
Tomoki Iwata was denied by goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer when his shot was saved.
Charlton manager Nathan Jones saw the goal differently.
“We had to clear it and we probably could have done better,” he said.
“He (Stansfield) is a £20million player and he smashed it in – if it had been anyone else on the pitch it might not have happened.”
Jones felt the game was very closely fought.
“It took an error for them to win the game otherwise there was nothing in it,” he added.
“They showed something-‘housery’ to see the game out – their players went down holding their heads, they stayed down to see the game out.
“They’ve got a top-six Championship budget but they’re well coached.”
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