Birmingham City 2-1 Middlesbrough: Odin Bailey's first goal for Blues seals dramatic win

Teenager Odin Bailey saved Birmingham City's blushes as his late goal earned them a deserved victory over Middlesbrough at St Andrew's.

Blues had dominated for long periods and created numerous chances with only Fran Villalba's first-half strike to show for it.

Defender Ayala looked to have rescued a point for the visitors before Bailey scored his first goal for Blues in just his third league appearance.

A draw would have been cruel on a Birmingham side who had 26 attempts at goal, compared to Boro's five.

• Relive Birmingham's dramatic late victory over Middlesbrough

The hosts had several chances to put the game to bed before Boro's leveller, but were denied by a string of sublime saves from visiting goalkeeper Darren Randolph. Kristian Pedersen also headed against the bar and Gary Gardner struck the post.

A disjointed Middlesbrough side created little going forward until Ayala's goal and remain with just two league victories this season.

As impressive as Birmingham were on the ball, led by 16-year-old Jude Bellingham in central midfield, Boro looked devoid of confidence.

Jonathan Woodgate's side, who stay 20th in the table, could go into the international break just a point and a place above the relegation zone depending on Saturday's results.

The winning margin could and should have been even wider, were it not for former Blues man Randolph's early heroics.

The Republic of Ireland international tipped over a fierce point-blank effort from Villalba with just a few minutes on the clock, before palming a skewed clearance from one of his own defenders for a corner.

Villalba, 21, eventually made Birmingham's pressure pay with the coolest of first-time finishes from just inside the box for his first Blues goal.

Boro looked slightly more of a threat in the second half, but almost found themselves two behind when substitute Gardner crashed a shot from the edge of the area off the inside of the post.

Just as they looked like settling for a 1-0 victory, Blues captain Harlee Dean dithered on the ball and Britt Assombalonga stole it off the defender to hang up a cross which Ayala could not miss.

However, more drama was to come as, just a few minutes after coming on to the pitch, Bailey calmly finished Dan Crowley's cross at the far post to give Blues their first win in four games.

Birmingham City head coach Pep Clotet told BBC WM:

"I think it was an exceptional performance linked with a very good result.

"We need to be very happy with that as I think the performance we gave the fans a couple of weeks ago here against Preston was a long way away from what we wanted.

"We went away and worked very hard on how we wanted to play and we carried that out from the start tonight.

"That's the kind of football we want to play and the fact we're doing it with a very young team means we're able to show the fans the future of the club is bright."

Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate told BBC Tees:

"That's so frustrating to concede so soon after we equalised.

"You get games like that in the Championship where you're getting bombarded from pillar to post.

"Darren Randolph has produced save after save. That isn't my type of team going out there not winning second balls or competing for crosses.

"Is it a lack of confidence? I believe the players are good enough and I'll keep on going with them as I believe in them and I'll remain positive with them.

"But if they don't pull their fingers out, we'll end up down the bottom of the table and we'll stay there. We need to grind it out and find personalities who can do that."