Priske double fires Birmingham City to 3-1 win at Lincoln

August Priske scored twice as Birmingham City bounced back from defeat with an impressive 3-1 win at Lincoln City on Saturday, their fourth away victory of the Championship season.

The result briefly lifted Blues to second in the table. They finished the day in sixth place on 23 points after the later kick-offs, firmly in the play-off places and only five points behind leaders Middlesbrough.

Priske strikes again

Chris Davies brought Priske back into the starting line-up after last weekend's loss at Cardiff, which had ended a run of four wins in five unbeaten games. Ethan Laird made his first league start of the season at right-back.

It was the home side who almost struck first, when Mikkel Ladefoged's low shot hit the post. Jay Stansfield volleyed just wide for Blues, and moments later they were in front: a ball forward was diverted into Priske's path by Lincoln's Yunus Konak, and the Dane tucked it into the corner.

Goalkeeper James Beadle had a tough afternoon, twice taking heavy falls while coming out to claim crosses, but he made two important saves in first-half added time to keep the lead, including a point-blank block with his thigh from Deji Elerewe. Beadle did not come out for the second half, and Ryan Allsop took over in goal.

Blues doubled their advantage after the break when captain Christoph Klarer flicked on a long throw and Priske got to the ball a fraction before goalkeeper George Wickens to turn it home.

Lincoln hit back almost straight away through substitute Tom Bayliss, who was making his 100th appearance for the club. But Alex Cochrane's deflected shot settled the game, and Demarai Gray could have added a fourth late on.

"We looked like a real team"

Birmingham City boss Chris Davies was delighted with his side's spirit. He told BBC WM: "The fight, the connection between the players - we looked like a real team out there."

He singled out Priske for praise. "Priske gives you that presence, works hard. The first one just falls to him and he's got that instinctive ability to turn. He's got two good feet and placed it well. That was great.

"And the athleticism, the bravery for the second and the skill to get it past the keeper shows he's becoming a real focal point for us."

Davies admitted he had weighed up whether to start the striker. "I was wondering whether to start him and I'm really pleased with the decision I made," he said.

Lincoln co-head coach Chris Cohen said his side could not expect anything after the goals they conceded "against Birmingham City".

What comes next

The win was a statement after the Cardiff setback, and Blues had more shots and more on target than their hosts. Supporters now look ahead to two tough home games at St Andrew's, as Davies's side try to stay in the promotion race at the top of a tight Championship table.