Stephen Clemence got the ball rolling for Birmingham City in Saturday's best away league win in five years, just as he did to kick start his team's march to the top of the Championship at Derby two months ago.

This time Clemence did it without the need of a deflection, thanks to a rebound which he took with all the sharpness, confidence and poaching sense of a striker. And, although he got back on the bus with the sound of moaning Yorkshiremen ringing in his ears, the stand-in Blues skipper pointed out that it was the standard of finishing that proved the difference between the two sides.

"I can understand them being very disappointed," said Clemence. "They've had plenty of chances but they haven't taken them.

"I don't get that many goals but you get a feeling and I certainly did with the way the ball dropped for me, Gary McSheffrey has done brilliantly with the second and Cameron Jerome deserved the third goal for all the hard work he put in.

"There were nearly 30,000 here, the crowd have got right behind them and were really up for it, but we've answered that. It just gave the players that extra incentive and, although we've rode our luck, there was still plenty of endeavour and commitment from the lads ."

McSheffrey, scorer of Blues' second goal, agreed. "Hillsborough's a difficult place to come at any time," he said. "But they're on good form and to come here and go away with a 3-0 win, we have stolen it.

"Although Maik Taylor still had to make two great saves after the break, by then, we were a lot more in control. The result flatters us a lot and they've missed some sitters, but the game's about putting the ball in the back of the net."

After netting his 13th goal in Blues' colours, plus his one for Coventry City in August, McSheffrey is on course to surpass his season's best tally of 22 (ten for Luton Town and 12 for the Sky Blues) three seasons ago. But, for the moment, he is happy to take it onel at a time.

"I'm pleased with my return so far," he said. "I'm particularly pleased with the amount that's going in with the right foot.

"I'd certainly take us winning every game and me scoring and at the minute it's going well for me both ways."