Birmingham 2 - 1 Southampton

Birmingham 2-1 Southampton

Updated: January 10, 2004, 12:18 PM ET

Goals from Jeff Kenna have been a rare commodity during his career but he struck for the second time in a fortnight to complete a stirring Blues comeback against Gordon Strachan's side, who were edged out 2-1.

The former Republic of Ireland international had netted just once in eight and a half years before hitting the target against Manchester City on Boxing Day.

• Strachan: Decision to go was made two-and-a-half years ago

Then the 33-year-old, out of contract in the summer, popped up midway through the second half to convert a cross from Clinton Morrison and sink the Saints.

To add to their misery David Prutton was dismissed for violent conduct immediately after that goal for appearing to elbow Kenna who needed stitches before being able to continue.

All eyes were on Saints manager Gordon Strachan after his decision to quit Saints at the end of the season.

But his enthusiasm outwardly at least appeared undiminished as he bobbled up and down like a jack-in-a-box in the dug-out.

Saints started brightly and Brett Ormerod - who replaced the axed Kevin Phillips - put them ahead but the home side gradually established a grip on proceedings.

David Dunn sparkled in midfield and he is starting to show why Steve Bruce paid £5.5million for his services last summer.

Southampton started brightly and Beattie send a near-post header inches wide after he had got in front of Darren Purse to meet a centre from Anders Svensson.

Then after five minutes Ormerod put the Saints ahead. Jason Dodd's corner was chested down by Rory Delap on the edge of the area and he had time to cut inside before firing in a fierce low drive.

Taylor did well to parry the ball away but Ormerod was first to react and he hammered his shot into the corner of the net.

Blues looked at sixes and sevens in the early stages although Damien Johnson shot over when well placed after Clinton Morrison had cut the ball back into his path.

A fine pass from the sharp-looking Dunn found striker Morrison in space but he failed to notice Stephen Clemence totally unmarked in the centre and the chance went begging.

The home side began to get a foothold in the match and after 17 minutes were back on level terms through Clemence.

The recalled Bryan Hughes' deep corner found the head of the former Tottenham midfielder and it flew into the corner of the net.

He turned away to celebrate although replays suggested Mikael Forssell or even Saints defender Fitz Hall could have applied the faintest of final touches

Delap became the first player to be yellow-carded by referee Steve Bennett after a crude challenge on Dunn.

Saints keeper Antti Niemi was relieved to see a dipping effort from Hughes fly inches over his crossbar.

But Beattie was still posing a threat for the Saints and he found himself with another run at goal after taking a pass from Fernandes in his stride.

He elected to try and curl the ball past Taylor with the outside of his right foot and the keeper was able to smother his effort.

Niemi produced a superb save to tip over a 25-yard drive from Morrison and a minute before the interval a combination of Svensson and Hall kept out a Purse header from a Hughes corner.

Dunn continued to impress after the break and he was brought down on the edge of the Saints penalty area after being brought down in full flight by Prutton.

He took the free-kick himself and Niemi produced a superb save to fingertip his curling effort around the post.

Then after 67 minutes Kenna struck to put Blues ahead. He exchanged passes with Morrison before sliding the ball past Niemi from close range.

Saints were then reduced to 10 men when Prutton was given his straight red card after appearing to elbow Kenna who had to leave the pitch for stitches.

Blues had chances to kill off the game with Forssell inches wide from 25 yards out and Morrison rattling the crossbar from a narrow angle after beating Niemi to the ball.

Strachan: Decision to go made two years ago

Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe said Saints had already been inundated with telephone calls from possible applicants after Strachan decided to stand down at the end of the current campaign.

He admitted that he was unsure as to 'exactly what is going to happen in the future' when staging a press conference at St Andrews after Southampton's game with Birmingham City today.

Lowe said: 'We have had a lot of telephone calls about the job and if you look at the club it is a pretty exciting job for someone.

'Judging by the people who have rang, they obviously agree. We will look at all the options and when a decision has been made we will enlighten people as to what it is.

'Right now Gordon is committed to seeing out his contract.

'But none of us know exactly what is going to happen. There may be situations which mean a change is necessary and there may be situations that mean one isn't.

'Would we look to appoint someone quickly if we identified a new manager? That is a matter for our board.'

Strachan said: 'We started the game decently and came back at the end well but on the day we were not good enough.

'We've lost four out of five games and it does concern me. It is me that has to sort it out and it will be sorted out.'

Strachan again insisted that his decision to quit had been made two-and-a-half years ago.

He said: 'It's not for health reasons. I'm stress free and my heart is going all right. I've got a small problem with my hip but the decision was made two-and-a-half years ago.

'I've been working non-stop for 31 years and there are other things I would like to do. I just wish people would accept that.'

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce praised Jeff Kenna who scored his second goal in a fortnight to seal their victory.

He said: 'I just wish Jeff was 26 and at the start of his career. He's a tremendous professional.

'That's why he's been playing at the top for 10 years and has a championship medal to his name.

'I know he wants a new contract and I've told him that if we stay in the Premiership there is no way he is going anywhere in the summer. How could I replace him.'