First-half goals from Lee Buchanan and Jay Stansfield were the difference as Birmingham beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park in Sky Bet League One.

Buchanan’s early opener set the tone for the game and Stansfield’s penalty shortly before half-time gave the hosts a healthy advantage to protect.

The Blues took an early lead in the sixth minute, just moments after referee Sebastian Stockbridge waved away penalty appeals and instead awarded a corner.

The corner was initially dealt with by the visitors, but only as far as Buchanan on the edge of the box, who beat Josh Griffiths with a long-range effort.

Stansfield doubled the hosts’ lead in the 38th minute from the spot after an Alfie May shot was handled by Connor Taylor in the penalty area, with the 22-year-old finishing into the bottom right-hand corner.

Chances were few and far between in the second half as the Blues emerged as 2-0 victors, leapfrogging Wrexham into second – while the Gas dropped to a lowly 20th.