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Steven Fletcher's first Premier League goal in the 53rd minute broke the deadlock and defender Andre Bikey opened his account for the club nine minutes later.

Midfielder Lee Bowyer spurned Birmingham's best chance in the first half when he missed an open goal from four yards before Sebastian Larsson curled home a consolation free-kick in the fourth minute of injury time.

A number of niggly fouls did not help the flow of the game and, as a result, there was little football played in the first half.

The opening half passed without incident apart from Bowyer's howling failure to convert from four yards when faced with an open goal in the 37th minute.

It was Burnley who took the lead in the 53rd minute with a quick counter-attack after a Blues free-kick broke down.

Right-back Tyrone Mears carried the ball out of defence, sent Fletcher racing through the inside-left channel and the former Hibernian forward drilled a left-footed shot which deflected off Joe Hart's legs and into the roof of the net.

It was the Scotland international's first Premier League goal and he should have doubled his tally soon after. Robbie Blake picked him out in the penalty area and he turned Scott Dann and beat Hart, only to see his shot roll against the foot of the post.

Bikey then doubled the lead after winning the ball, wriggling past two markers and charging forward to exchange passes with David Nugent and shot beyond Hart and into the left corner for his first goal since a summer move from Reading.

Larsson curled in a late free-kick but it was too late as Burnley showed, once again, why Turf Moor will be their battleground as they bid to secure another season in the top flight.