Victory in a fractious derby against Birmingham, who had Danny Sonner sent off for elbowing Phil Gilchrist, lifted Albion to within two points of Wolves. Albion had wasted two opportunities to seize second place. This time, against a side whose display reflected the uncertainty over Birmingham's attempts to appoint Steve Bruce as manager, Gary Megson's side resisted second-half pressure to claim their highest position since beating the same opponents by an identical score four years ago.Despite reports that Crystal Palace are demanding £1m to release the former Manchester United captain, Birmingham hope to install him as Trevor Francis' successor before they fall further behind the promotion pack. One of their joint caretaker managers, Mick Mills, said afterwards: "It will take however long it takes We've got 10 days until the next match. It'll be interesting."As and when Bruce does arrive, he will inherit what Megson described as "a good side", and one particular player, Geoff Horsfield, whose endeavours had him drooling: "That's the best centre-forward's performance I've seen in a long, long time." Megson would like to be able to compete for such a striker, having sold Lee Hughes last summer and lost Jason Roberts to injury, but Albion's relative lack of purchasing power merely makes their position more laudable.The contest was played at a ferocious pace on a pitch made slippery by persistent rain, yet chances were at a premium.

Larus Sigurdsson glanced the best early opening wide with the goal at his mercy following Michael Appleton's sixth-minute free-kick.Albion looked the more polished side, however, and deserved their 37th-minute goal. After a clever turn, Andy Johnson's 18-yard shot was parried by Nico Vaesen, whereupon Neil Clement laid the ball back for Johnson to curl it into the far corner of the net.Birmingham's fightback began in the 52nd minute when Andrew Johnson's deep cross was knocked back across goal to give Horsfield an opening, only for Gilchrist to make a saving tackle.As Horsfield carried the fight to Albion, Mr Halsey interpreted Sigurdsson's attempted clearance as a back pass. The free-kick, inside the box, was rolled to Nicky Eaden, but Sigurdsson broke from the wall to block his drive.Sonner was dismissed in the 77th minute for an aerial challenge in which Mills felt he led with an arm rather than maliciously with an elbow. Birmingham City (4-4-2): Vaesen; Eaden, Purse, M Johnson, Grainger; Andrew Johnson, Sonner, O'Connor (Luntala, 71), Woodhouse; Horsfield, Mooney (Ferrari, 71). Substitutes not used: Burrows, Hutchinson, Bennett (gk).West Bromwich Albion (3-5-2): Hoult; Sigurdsson, Butler, Gilchrist; Balis (J Chambers, 61), McInnes, Appleton, Andy Johnson, Clement; R?r (Taylor, 67), Dobie. Substitutes not used: Fox, Jordao, Adamson (gk).Referee: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City)..

Steve Parkin's move to become Barnsley's new manager is being delayed by a dispute with Rochdale. Barnsley want to have Parkin in charge for their game at Preston tonight, but Rochdale are not satisfied with the compensation that they have been offered so far. Steve Parkin's move to become Barnsley's new manager is being delayed by a dispute with Rochdale. Barnsley want to have Parkin in charge for their game at Preston tonight, but Rochdale are not satisfied with the compensation that they have been offered so far. Rochdale also revealed that Parkin, who has guided the club into second place in the Third Division, has a clause in the three-year contract he signed before the 2000-01 season allowing him to talk to any club from a higher division.However, despite claims by Rochdale that the move was as good as settled, Barnsley's chairman, John Dennis said: "At the moment it is only speculation, and Mr Parkin is not the manager of Barnsley and is still the manager at Rochdale."He did say his club are hoping to have someone installed in the job by the weekend and added: "Mr Parkin has been the subject of great speculation, and that speculation is not a million miles away from the mark. If he were to become the manager there is still a long way to go."Mick Wadsworth has been installed as the new head coach of Oldham Athletic, following last week's departure of Andy Ritchie. Iain Dowie is being lined up as his assistant.The former champion jockey Willie Carson wants Roy Evans to remain as Swindon's director of football if he succeeds in his takeover of the Second Division club. Town's chairman Danny Donegan, a close friend of the player-coach Neil Ruddock, was ousted at a High Court hearing on Monday, and Carson, who heads a consortium, hopes to take charge at an EGM in four weeks' time."The consortium would love Roy Evans and Neil Ruddock to stay.