Carter strikes twice to secure Birmingham win

FT Birmingham 3 Leeds 0

Birmingham-born Darren Carter struck twice to ensure a comfortable passage into the fourth round of the FA Cup for Steve Bruce’s side, who brushed off the absence of the suspended Robbie Savage.

Carter, whose penalty clinched Blues’ place in the Barclays Premiership two and a half years ago, had spent the first half of the season on loan at Sunderland.

But Bruce has already intimated the midfielder will have a long-term future at St Andrews, and he has been a key figure in City’s recent revival. Emile Heskey scored the first-half opener.

With the game secure, Heskey came off to a standing ovation as Bruce gave a debut to £1.5million signing Robbie Blake.

Leeds deserved a consolation goal for their efforts, and Wright was only just off target with a curling free-kick.

Then Taylor went down to his left to cling onto a well-struck effort from Healy as Leeds showed plenty of spirit right up until the final whistle.

Sullivan denied the hard-working Morrison the goal he deserved with a smart save as Blues cruised into the last 32, while Taylor denied Joachim in injury-time.