Birmingham City felt that substitute referee Kevin Wright got it right with two big decisions in the victory over Leicester City at St Andrew’s.

Fourth official Wright replaced calf-injury victim Graham Salisbury for the second-half.

And he awarded Blues a penalty, for a trip by Andy King on Jean Beausejour, which was stuck away by Marlon King.

Matt Mills was later red-carded for a studs up challenge on Morgaro Gomis.

“Jean went down and whether it was a hard touch or a soft touch, it was a penalty,” said King.

“Another of the turning points was the sending-off and it was two-footed, I was right next to it. No complaints about that.

“There were incidents that changed the game, but we only deal with what’s put in front of us. It’s nothing to do with the boys, we just got on with it.

“When you look back on the season you’re not going to be talking about what the ref’s decisions were but the result.

“We came away with a good, solid win.

“We knew it was going to be tough. The first-half was very scrappy. It wasn’t pretty on the eye.

“Both teams couldn’t quite get a hold of the game. We were feeling each other out.

“But we said to ourselves at half-time we would get opportunities, and the gaffer said it was important we started fast and also remained patient.”

On the penalty, Chris Hughton commented: “There was certainly contact.

“Jean is a strong personality and if he thinks there’s an opportunity to go through and score he’s not one who likes to go down too easily.”

Hughton said the red card for Mills was correct too, saying: "Both feet were definitely off the ground when the challenge was made.

"In this day and age, you can't do that. We have seen  plenty of examples where players have left the ground with two feet and their fate has been similar.".

Sven-Goran Erkisson's only gripe with Wright was his decision not to brandish a second yellow card for Beausejour just moments before Mills transgression.

Lee Peltier eluded Beausejour on his way towards Blues penalty area from the right and was clipped.

"Where I think the referee got it wrong was when Lee was through and Beausejour kicked him from behind, for sure that's a yellow card and it would have been his second," said Eriksson.

Hughton countered: "The fact he had already received a yellow card, I suppose it opens up the question. Would I have seen that as a yellow card if he hadn't already have got one? Probably not."

Blues' 2-0 victory has moved them to within four points of the Championship's play-off zone.

Hughton said: "I am as pleased with the clean sheet as the ability to get the goals.

"It was a super penalty by Marlon and also his ball through to Chris Wood for his goal showed great vision.

"The fact that we were strong in that second-half was pleasing."