Cardiff are working the ball nicely around the box, with Kenwyne Jones only too willing to drop a little in an effort to help manufacture something.

So far, nothing but frustration for the visitors.

Image source, Rex Features

Anthony Pilkington is again the man sending Birmingham City hearts a flutter.

He get on the end of a Scott Malone cross, but the touch just isn't strong enough and the chance is gone.

It is a peak at goal, a glance for Cardiff City, but Paul Caddis is there in defence to clear danger created by Anthony Pilkington

Tony Watt hits the deck in the penalty area trying to meet an Anthony Pilkington cross from the right. Plenty of shouts for a penalty, but all waved away.

Cardiff throwing all they have trying to create something, anything at St Andrew's.

Next to try prod - or in this case barrel through - Birmingham City's defence is centre-back Matthew Connolly.

A quiet second half is suddenly brought to life just after the hour mark and it's the visitors who are almost level.

Leon Clarke fires in a low free-kick which is brilliantly palmed away by Southend goalkeeper Dan Bentley.

Southend have a habit of throwing away leads this season don't forget.

That is the second-half in a snapshot!

Sammy Ameobi, who was so busy in attack in the first half for Cardiff has been putting in hard yards backtracking in defence.

Cardiff patiently building up through midfield, Joe Ralls making all the inroads with a dash up the middle.

Birmingham, much more direct on the counter and looking more energetic as they chase a second.

The ball breaks favourably for Birmingham on the edge of the area and Jon Toral comes up with a thunderous effort.

David Marshall, however, makes a fine left handed save at his near post to push the ball around the post for a corner.

It has been more industrious early on from Blues after the break.

Bruno Manga keeping calm as he intercepts a speculative through ball from Demarai Gray.

The Cardiff defender needed to have his wits about him there as Jon Toral was lurking. In the end, easy as you like, Manga turns inside to pass back to David Marshall.

Birmingham City kick the second half off.

It doesn't matter how Birmingham came about their goal, for Blues it was drought-breaker.

Paul Caddis' first-half penalty ends a four-match goalless run at home.

Last time they hit the net at St Andrew's they beat QPR. All good omens.

BBC Essex's Nick Alliker certainly enjoyed the opening 43 minutes of that first half.

The second half is now under way.

What does a controversial penalty against Cardiff City equate to?

One angry Russell Slade making his way down the tunnel ahead of the match officials, that's what. (And I imagine, many, many grumpy but festively dresses Bluebird supporters)

On the many, may replays back it does look like the visitors are desperately unlucky to be behind at St Andrew's as James Vaughan's effort seems to smack Matthew Connolly square in the face, rather than the hand, for the penalty.

Image source, Rex Features

On the subject of how things stand, let's look ahead to a tasty weekend.

And yep, the question of who, oh who, will top the Championship tree for Christmas is the hot topic?

We have a veritable Christmas cracker to look forward to which will go a long way to deciding exactly that as table-topping Middlesbrough travel second-placed Brighton on Saturday.

Image source, Getty Images

And just how big was that call from referee David Coote? Well it allowed Paul Caddis to put Birmingham City ahead and that would be enough to see Blues leapfrog Cardiff into seventh in the table if this is how it stays.

A few Cardiff players make a bee line for referee David Coote to express their displeasure about that controversial late penalty.

The half-time whistle goes in our League One game.

Noel Hunt scored twice to give Southend a 2-0 lead, before Leon Clarke pulled one back for the visitors just before half-time.

A mouthwatering second half in prospect.