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Charlie Kelman's goal was his fifth of the season and first since January. Charlie Kelman's winner was enough to give Charlton a 1-0 victory over Birmingham City at The Valley and an important three points in their bid to move further clear of the relegation zone in the Championship. The forward's fifth goal of the campaign came moments after coming off the bench, and settled a game of few clear-cut chances. Prior to the winner, Tyrese Campbell had the best opening for the Addicks, denied only by a spectacular last-ditch block from Christoph Klarer to prevent the hosts taking the lead. It is the first time Blues boss Chris Davies has lost three consecutive league games since taking charge at St Andrew's. Charlton stay 18th but move nine points clear of danger, while Birmingham remain in 12th but slip eight points off the play-offs. Only one of the previous 14 games between these two had produced more than two goals, so it came as no surprise that this was another tight encounter of few opportunities. There was little to speak of in the opening exchanges before the hosts had numerous sights of goal in quick succession midway through the first half. Strong work from Greg Docherty in midfield teed up Lyndon Dykes, but the striker's effort from 30 yards was off target. Moments later, Harry Clarke found Kai Wagner in the way of his goalbound effort, and from the resulting corner Blues keeper Ryan Allsopp did enough to divert the ball away from Connor Coventry. It was the same story after the break, and Blues' backline was called into action again when Campbell found himself clean through on goal, and it took a perfectly-timed challenge from Klarer to keep the score goalless. The breakthrough came with just under 20 minutes remaining from Kelman's first touch after coming off the bench. The striker brought down a long throw-in that had been flicked on, and fired home beyond Allsopp. Birmingham – who had made five changes from the 3-1 defeat at home by Middlesbrough last time out – threatened late on via a counter attack that saw Ibrahim Osman fire just wide, but ultimately slipped to a third straight league defeat. Miles Leaburn almost added some gloss to the scoreline for Charlton in injury time but could not direct his effort on target. Both these teams are back in action on Wednesday, 11 March at 19: 45. Birmingham host QPR looking to return to winning ways, while Charlton visit Middlesbrough. Charlton boss Nathan Jones: "Every win is massive in this league and this stage of the season. I felt it was thoroughly deserved. "Others had won or picked up points, so we knew we had to do that as well. It's all about us getting to a points total we're comfortable with and building from there. "I don't think we're close [to safety]. You won't feel that way until it is mathematical. That wasn't our goal after the first 15 games. We didn't expect to be in this position. "We picked up injuries at the wrong time but now we're coming through that. The performance levels have been good lately, we haven't lost many. Could we have won a few more? Yeah. Have we let ourselves down with one or two performances? Yeah. But we are fighting and competing at this level, it's only our first year back. " This video can not be played Nathan Jones post Birmingham Birmingham City head coach Chris Davies told BBC Radio WM: "It was another disappointing result. We didn't do enough to win the game. It was a game of very, very few chances. "We had some decent situations in the second half but didn't capitalise on when we had the momentum. "It's such a soft way to lose - from a long throw into the box, bouncing ball, scrappy goal. It's very frustrating. "We've got to do more. We can't expect to win gets if, in those critical moments, we don't defend well enough. "I'm really frustrated. It was a game we let get away from us and I expected more. We've got to learn and we really need to pull together now and finish the season strong. " This video can not be played Chris Davies: 'We didn't do enough to win' After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 7th March 2026 at 16: 59 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Nathan Jones Formation: 3 - 5 - 2 Manager: Chris Davies Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Nathan Jones Formation: 3 - 5 - 2 Manager: Chris Davies Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Championship All competitions All competitions All competitions Charlton are looking for consecutive home league wins against Birmingham for the first time since beating them in 2004-05 and 2005-06 in the Premier League. Only one of the last 14 league meetings between Charlton and Birmingham has seen more than two goals scored, a 2-1 Addicks win in April 2016. Charlton have lost 11 of their last 21 league games (W4 D6) – since the start of this run on 8 November, only Sheffield Wednesday (18) and West Brom (12) have lost more Championship games. Birmingham City have lost their last two Championship matches but haven’t lost three league games in a row under manager Chris Davies before. The Blues last had a longer losing run in March 2024 (four defeats). Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones has only won two of his nine league games against Birmingham City as a manager (D3 L4), 1-0 wins with Luton in February 2021 and the Addicks in October 2024. Match ends, Charlton Athletic 1, Birmingham City 0. Second Half ends, Charlton Athletic 1, Birmingham City 0. Corner, Charlton Athletic. Conceded by Kai Wagner. Attempt missed. Miles Leaburn (Charlton Athletic) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Harry Clarke. Foul by Kanya Fujimoto (Birmingham City). Charlie Kelman (Charlton Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time. Substitution, Charlton Athletic. Conor Coady replaces Conor Coventry. Substitution, Charlton Athletic. Macaulay Gillesphey replaces Tyreece Campbell. Kanya Fujimoto (Birmingham City) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Conor Coventry (Charlton Athletic). Attempt saved. Sonny Carey (Charlton Athletic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Ryan Allsop (Birmingham City). Foul by Ibrahim Osman (Birmingham City). Kayne Ramsay (Charlton Athletic) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Offside, Charlton Athletic. Sonny Carey is caught offside. Attempt missed. Charlie Kelman (Charlton Athletic) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Attempt blocked. Kayne Ramsay (Charlton Athletic) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sonny Carey with a cross. Substitution, Birmingham City. Kanya Fujimoto replaces Jonathan Panzo. Foul by Christoph Klarer (Birmingham City). Miles Leaburn (Charlton Athletic) wins a free kick on the right wing. Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.