David Lopez's second-half strike was enough to give Brighton & Hove Albion all three points against Birmingham City at the Amex Stadium.

The Midlands club were thankful to Darren Randolph for keeping them on terms earlier in the game as he denied Kazenga LuaLua twice in quick succession.

In the opening half full-back Stephen Ward's fizzing effort was as close as the Seagulls come to scoring a goal.

However, it was left to Lopez just before the hour mark to break the deadlock when first Andrew Crofts and then Keith Andrews saw their shots blocked before the Spanish midfielder volleyed the ball past Randolph.

The hosts continued to probe the Birmingham defence and could have had a second when Crofts' shot from distance had to be tipped around by the increasingly besieged City shot-stopper.

Lee Clark's side stayed in the game and almost found a late equaliser when Chris Burke latched onto Paul Caddis's pass, but saw his shot saved from a tight angle.

In the end, Brighton held on for a victory that lifts the Seagulls into the playoff places.

Birmingham, who had been unbeaten in their previous four visits to the Sussex club, continue to languish in the bottom half of the Championship.