Middlesbrough returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Birmingham, with Matt Targett scoring twice in the first half.
After three games without a win, Boro earned a well-deserved three points at St Andrews, inspired by target former Aston Villa player scoring two goals in the first 26 minutes.
Marvin Dachsh pulled one back early in the second half as the Blues looked to be on the mend, but David Strelek sealed the win for Boro on the hour mark.
This leaves Boro four points behind third-placed Millwall with 11 games remaining, while next closest challengers Ipswich and Hull are six points behind. Both sides still have games to play, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+ from Portman Road on Tuesday night.
Boro reaffirm their place in the promotion race with victory over St Andrews
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Matt Targett scored two goals in quick succession to give Middlesboro a 2-0 halftime lead against Birmingham.
It wasn’t a very pleasant start to the night for Boro, but the promotion hopefuls showed their quality and took the lead in the 13th minute with their first proper chance of the game.
Aidan Morris drove a diagonal ball into the path of Target, who timed his run perfectly to get behind the defense and finish calmly past James Beadle.
Targett made 89 appearances for Birmingham’s arch-rivals Villa and promptly silenced the home supporters with a celebration.
Matt Targett celebrates after scoring a goal for Middlesbrough in Birmingham
This goal changed the game completely and Middlesbrough had another chance 13 minutes later, doubling their advantage.
Christoph Klarer lost the ball to Hayden Hackney in a dangerous area and the midfielder expertly nodded to his waiting target to bury his second goal of the night.
The hosts were able to halve the lead just three minutes into the second period after Jay Stansfield beat the offside trap and cut the ball back for Duckush to roll home.
Suddenly, the visitors looked nervous, but Blin made a fine save to deny Dakush an equaliser.
Middlesbrough rebuilt a two-goal lead in that time and eased the tension.
Luke Ayling supplied a dangerous cross and Strelets hit the post with a header to earn Boro a much-needed three points and hand Birmingham a rare home defeat.
Helberg proud of rare win at St Andrews
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David Strelek’s header puts Middlesbrough in the lead over Birmingham.
Kim Helberg of Middlesbrough:
“It was a good win, a strong win against a very good team who have only lost once in two years at this ground. It’s a difficult place to come to.
“We knew they were going to get off to a good start given the noise of the crowd around us. We controlled the game a little bit better[after the goal]and in the first half we pressed very well. We created a lot of chances and could have scored more.”
“We always play differently, but today we felt (the back three) suited us.
“The pressure is on every day. But we always work the same way, even if we don’t get results. That’s what I’m always proud of.”
“Hellberg exudes confidence and poise.”
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Former Middlesbrough full-back Tommy Smith feels Kim Helberg will bring real confidence and security to his side as they aim for promotion.
Former Middlesbrough defender and current club loan manager Tommy Smith:
“He’s a really calming influence from my point of view. I’m very lucky to be working with him now.
“He exudes confidence and calmness and that rubs off on the players.
“It’s been three games where Middlesbrough haven’t won, but the performances have continued, so I wasn’t overly concerned about that.
“They went to Birmingham tonight and got a win like that. It’s no surprise to me.”
Davis: It was a tough night.
Chris Davis of Birmingham:
“I was really happy with the way the first half went, it really was a goal out of thin air.
“We weren’t very good from there and then we conceded a poor second goal. We lost our way after that and were put in a really tough position. That shook us up and we’re not used to being put in that position at home.”
“We recovered well, scored the goal and put ourselves in a great position to come back. Then we conceded another goal, which was disappointing from our perspective. The header was good, but we defended poorly.”
“It was a very difficult night for us. We haven’t had a lot of things like this at home. We have 11 games left and we will need a lot of points to make it (to the play-offs).”
