EMILE HESKEY relieved the tension around St Andrews by giving Birmingham a much-needed victory in a dour relegation crash with Sunderland. 39thminute lead in the Premiership relegation clash with Sunderland. The one-time England striker found himself unmarked at the far post to head home a free-kick from Jermaine Pennant on 39 minutes for his fifth goal of the campaign.

It was the only bright spot of an opening period lacking any sort of spark or creativity from either side and the second half wasn't much of an improvement although that didn't worry the home fans as their side battles for survival.

For Sunderland, it was another nail in the relegation coffin.