Birmingham winger David Cotterill sends the ball into the box, but it's gathered in the air by Brighton keeper David Stockdale before Lukas Jutkiewicz can get on the end of it.

Image source, Rex Features

After that start we've settled into a bit of a slower pattern now.

Gianfranco Zola will be a little disappointed his side couldn't get that early goal. A big win will take them into the play-off places.

Bright start from both sides as this times Seagulls winger Anthony Knockaert does brilliant to beat two men with a piece of sublime skill in the corner and get into the area, but instead of cutting back he decides to shoot from a tight angle.

It's easily saved by Tomasz Kuszczak.

It was almost a perfect start for Gianfranco Zola's reign as Birmingham boss, but Maikel Kieftenbeld can only turn Lukas Jutkiewicz's low cross against the post.

He could, and should, have done better with his shot from six yards out.

Kieftenbeld's effort came after just 38 seconds.

Brighton won the toss and have turned Birmingham around so they will be shooting towards the home fans in the first half.

Blues striker Lukas Jutkiewicz gets us under way at St Andrew's.

Image source, Rex Features

The teams are out on the pitch at St Andrew's. 

It was all smiles from the two captains ahead of kick-off. A few fans are holding up signs thanking former manager Gary Rowett for his contribution to their club. He will be fondly remembered by Blues fans, for sure.

Here are the teams for our late kick-off:

Birmingham: Kuszczak, Spector, Morrison, Shotton, Grounds, Cotterill, Gleeson, Kieftenbeld, Davis, Stewart, Jutkiewicz.

Subs: Legzdins, Robinson, Tesche, Adams, Soloman-Otabor, Maghoma, Dacres-Cogley.

Brighton: Stockdale, Bruno, Dunk, Duffy, Bong; Knockaert, Stephens, Sidwell, Skalak; Baldock, Murray.

Subs: Ankergren, Pocognoli, Goldson, Norwood, March, Towell, Hemed.  

Johnny Cantor
BBC Sussex commentator

Image source, Rex Features

"Brighton will be wary of the arrival of Zola at St Andrew's just three days before the game, but the Seagulls passed the test of Blackburn in midweek and will want to maintain the eight-point gap between themselves and third place.

"Hughton's side have won the last three games against Birmingham and have a range of options up front, with Tomer Hemed vying with top scorer Glenn Murray for a place alongside Sam Baldock.

"The ex-Blues boss believes his former side are a hard-working side, full of solid Championship players."

Image source, Rex Features

Zola's first challenge as manager can't come much tougher.

A visit of second-placed Brighton, managed by former Birmingham boss Chris Hughton, to St Andrew's.

Hughton's side are unbeaten in 15 league matches, a run that stretches back to 10 September - when Sam Allardyce was still England manager.

Key to their success this campaign has been striker Glenn Murray. The 33-year-old has bagged 13 goals so far this term to leave the Seagulls a point behind leaders Newcastle.

Image source, Rex Features

Zola's most recent managerial job was with Qatari side Al-Arabi, but he was sacked in June after just one season.

So after replacing a man popular with most Blues fans, how does the former West Ham and Watford manager feel?

"The difficulty was that my predecessor was doing very well," Zola told BBC WM.

"Sometimes that makes it not easy for a new manager, but I'm professional, it was a good opportunity and I could not refuse it."

Image source, Rex Features

Look at this happy chappy.

Chelsea legend and scorer of one of the greatest back-heel goals ever Gianfranco Zola is back in English football - but it's all come about in rather controversial circumstances.

Gary Rowett was doing - from the outside at least - a grand job at Birmingham City, with the club just outside the Championship play-off places.

But that was seemingly not enough for the new Chinese owners, who sacked Rowett after two years in charge on Wednesday before moving swiftly to bring in Zola.

Well there you go. Lots and lots of excitement in the Championship.

But have no fear. There's more to come tonight.

Birmingham host Brighton at St Andrew's, with the Blues having a new, but rather familiar face at the helm for the first time.

Not only that, we'll bring you reaction for all of today's matches.

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• On a day of late drama in the Championship, Newcastle United scored twice in the first half to secure a 2-1 victory at Burton Albion to extend their lead at the top of the table.
• Leeds United, Reading, Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday all scored in injury time to win their games.
• Barnsley came from 1-0 down to lead 3-1, only for Cardiff to make it 3-3... Before scoring right at the death to pinch it 4-3.
• Elsewhere, Wolves beat Nottingham Forest, Preston won at Bristol City and Ipswich edged a five-goal thriller to win at Wigan.

The Championship's bottom side looked to have got themselves a hard-earned point from their South Yorkshire rivals, but it wasn't to be.

Carlos Carvalhal's Owls have now won four of their last five matches.

How many late goals can the Championship take?! Goodness me!

They are still going at Hillsborough.

Well, there was plenty of movement expected at the top of League Two and Craig Tanner's goal for Plympouth Argyle ensures they are top for Christmas.

They started the day there, with Doncaster's 1-0 win over Grimsby in the early kick-off enough to edge Rovers ahead for a wee while.

Carlisle United occupied pole position there for a bit as well as they lead Yeovil after 10 minutes, going on to win 2-1. That is enough to park the Cumbrians in second place.

Even more late drama in the Championship? It certainly looks like there might be!

Sheffield Wednesday have a penalty in stoppage time...

Oh so close for Burton!

A ball into the box is turned towards goal by Brewers defender Kyle McFadzean but it hits the side netting.

And the full-time whistle is blown. Newcastle hang on.