At St. Andrews

9th December 2000

Att: 16,778

The Dons, dire at home but irrepressible on their travels, stunned Birmingham - who had only lost once previously at St Andrews this season - with a display full of raw power and deadly finishing.

What’s more, Terry Burton’s side delivered the knockout blow after the second half dismissal of John Hartson, who saw red on 63 minutes for two bookable offences.

The Blues, unbeaten at St Andrews since the opening home game of the season against Fulham, simply failed to come to terms with the robust pairing of Hartson and Jason Euell, who was restored to the starting line-up after a bout of flu.

The Dons opened the scoring in the 30th minute when midfielder Francis picked up the ball on the edge of the area after good work by Neal Ardley and slammed it past Ian Bennett with his left-foot.

As the powerful Hartson continued to get the better of Darren Purse - but also earned a yellow card for an unnecessary elbow - the visitors continued to carve out the better chances.

Their lead was doubled three minutes before the break as the Welsh international nodded down to allow Euell a sight of goal that he took full advantage of.

Only a last-ditch tackle by Purse prevented Euell adding a third before the break as Birmingham sagged on the ropes.

Even though Blues boss Trevor Francis called on David Burrows and Mark Burchill for the second half, and had a one man advantage after Hartson clashed with Burrows on the halfway line, Birmingham couldn’t haul themselves back into contention as Dons goalkeeper Kelvin Davis proved impassable.

The unmarked Francis put the finishing touches to the Dons’ Midlands outing when he bundled home Per Karlsson’s left-wing cross with 12 minutes remaining.