Qpr 1 - 0 BIRMINGHAM

BLUES lose their unbeaten record in London tonight as a second half strike from Samuel Di Carmine secures all three points for 10 man Queens Park Rangers.

Blues also lose their spot at the summit of the championship to midlands rivals Wolves as they battle past Swansea City to win 2-1.

The problems started for the blues before a ball had even been kicked as the rain came down at a miserable, ice cold Loftus Road when Gary O'connor pulled up in the warm up, while Stuart Parnaby was strechered off after only 12 minutes.

However, with strength in depth Blues would still be expected to go on and perform under the conditions but really didn't turn up as they crumbled under the pressure of a cracking atmosphere in south-west London.

Cameron Jerome arguably had the best chance of the game as he went through one on one with the Rangers keeper Radek Cerny but allowed the former Tottenham keeper to turn the ball wide for a corner.

Just before the break Lee Carsley got away from Mikele Leigertwood but was bought down and resulted in referee Steve Attwell showing a straight red card for a professional foul.

This gave the Blues the chance to come out in the second half and really push the game to Rangers who were there for the taking but it was the London hoops who took the initiative and after 54 minutes Di Carmine produced a moment of magic as he smashed home a spectacular 25 yard strike into Maik Taylor's top right hand corner.

Blues battled on after this as the rain began to fall relentlessly and although there was promise from 19 year-old Jared Wilson down the right hand side, Blues could only produce three shots on target one of which was turned in by Kevin Phillips in the 4th minute of injury time however was ruled out for offside.

A quite miserbale night in London for the blue boy's means that next Monday's derby clash with Coventry becomes all the more important to ensure they keep hot on the heels of the new leaders Wolves.

Full Time: Qpr 1-0 BIRMINGHAM