Derby County 1-2 Birmingham City: Lukas Jutkiewicz's header ensures Blues will stay in Championship
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The goal by Colin Kazim-Richards came from the first and only attempt on target before the break
Lukas Jutkiewicz's second-half double ensured Birmingham City will stay in the Championship next season as they came from behind to beat Derby County, who are still in danger of relegation.
The result means Wayne Rooney's Rams remain one place above the relegation zone, six points above bottom-of-the-table Wycombe and four points clear of second-from-bottom Sheffield Wednesday
They are also four points above Rotherham in 22nd place, but the Millers have two games in hand on the Chairboys, Derby and the Owls, who all have two games to play.
Colin Kazim-Richards' six-yard strike put the Rams ahead, the only noteworthy action of a forgettable first half.
But a much-improved Blues side were on top thereafter and went close through Kristian Pedersen before Jutkiewicz nodded the in the equaliser from close range when the defence failed to deal with a long throw.
Jutkiewicz completed the turnaround with a powerful header from a delightful cross by Ivan Sanchez with just over five minutes remaining to confirm survival after a six-game unbeaten run that has brought four wins.
Blues buoyed by Bowyer
Birmingham were hopelessly out of form and just three points clear of the Championship relegation zone when Lee Bowyer replaced Aitor Karanka as boss with 10 games remaining.
But a fourth win in six looked unlikely after a dismal first-half display at Pride Park.
Derby, who have now lost five consecutive league games for the first time since November 2011, led when Lee Buchanan was allowed too much space on the left and his low cross was turned in by Kazim-Richards from six yards.
Blues started the second half impressively, Pedersen's goalbound shot was blocked and a sliced Marc Roberts cross almost caught out keeper Kelle Roos at his near post.
The pressure told from a long throw when Harlee Dean's presence caused problems in the air and the ball fell kindly to Jutkiewicz to head in his sixth goal of the season
And his seventh of the season - and 99th in English football - followed not long after to clinch victory.
The Rams, who face high-flying Swansea City away and relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday at home in their remaining games, need one more win to be certain of staying in the second tier on the back of a run of just one win in 13.
Derby County manager Wayne Rooney told BBC Radio Derby:
"It's frustrating, of course. On Tuesday [v Preston], I questioned the players for their lack of fight and lack of energy. I didn't think it was good enough, or acceptable.
"Today I can't question it. They fought for every ball. The one thing we knew was, long throws would come into the box.
"We dealt with it quite well but we had two lapses in concentration and it has cost us the game."
Birmingham City head coach Lee Bowyer told BBC WM:
"To do what we've done, with two games to spare, is some achievement. I'm proud of them. It shows what they're capable of as a group.
"Today, when we needed people to come off the bench, to turn the game around, they did, and that's how we won the game. It's a good squad.
"To be able to turn it around, to only lose one in eight and that was against Watford, is some going in this division."