Alfie May’s first-half brace saw Birmingham keep the pressure on League One’s top two after a 2-0 victory against play-off hopefuls Stockport.

The Blues striker struck twice in nine minutes as Chris Davies’ men maintained their unbeaten home record and moved one point behind second-placed Wrexham with two games in hand.

However, they needed a fifth-minute reprieve before they hit their stride when a pinpoint diagonal from Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry picked out Will Collar. The 27-year-old struck a rising shot that cannoned off the underside of the bar and away to safety.

That was the warning the hosts needed and in the 26th minute May gave them a lead they would never lose.

Keshi Anderson intercepted Ben Hinchliffe’s throw out, raced into the box and pulled back to May from 14 yards, he hit a low first-time shot which was deflected off Ethan Pye into the net.

Not long after May bagged his eighth of the season as Jay Stansfield put Anderson in behind on the right and the former Blackpool winger crossed for his striker to convert from close range.

Stockport improved after the break but never came as close as they had through Collar.