Blues inspired by 1990s Wembley wins, says Davies

Birmingham City lifted the trophy at Wembley in 1995, their second success in four years

Pictures of Birmingham's Wembley successes from the 1990s helped inspire the current side to clinch a place in the EFL Trophy final, according to Blues boss Chris Davies.

Substitute Lyndon Dykes' late header earned Blues a 2-1 victory at home to Bradford on Tuesday to ensure they will line up in April's Wembley showpiece.

Birmingham won the tournament twice during previous spells in the third tier, overcoming Tranmere 3-2 in 1991 and beating Carlisle four years later through Paul Tait's extra-time winner – a season in which they were also promoted as champions.

While promotion back to the Championship remains the top priority, Davies told BBC WM 95.6 he has also been urging his players to embrace the opportunity of collecting silverware at Wembley.

"I tried to paint the picture to the players really early on, because some of them haven't played in this competition and it can be looked down upon, but it's a case of ending up at Wembley," said the Blues manager.

"I've showed them the images of the club when they won it 30 years ago and what that meant to the fans, the players and everything. I think as the weeks have gone by, they've got more and more excited by it.

"You could see how much they wanted it. I said 'look what you've done to that stadium, it's absolutely bouncing' and I've never seen it like that since I've been here.

"We know our objective this season is to get out of League One but for a club that's suffered a lot in the last few years to get the chance of a day out at Wembley is something special. I'm really looking forward to it."

Blues will take on either Wrexham or holders Peterborough, who meet in the second semi-final next week, at Wembley on 13 April.