BLUES 3-2 Charlton

FRANCK Queudrue's first goal for Blues secured a thrilling second half comeback at St Andrews to earn McLeish's men all three vital points.

The frenchman scored what proved to be the winner only nine minutes into the second half as Blues held on despite going down to ten men after Nigel Quashie was shown a second yellow card with half an hour left to play.

The afternoon started perfectly for Blues when James McFadden produced a moment of magic to score past keeper Nicky Weaver. However the Addicks did hit back before the break to stun the 20,000 plus crowd through Hameur Bouazza and Andy Gray.

McLeish had made two changes to his side that drew at Forest last weekend. Kevin Phillips was recalled to the starting 11 to partner Marcus Bent up top for the first time this season. The other change was bringing Queudrue back into the team after recovering from an illness. Both players scoring in the second half to clinch a much needed victory to the relief of the home faithful.

It was Phillips who put Blues back level only five minutes into the second half on his 500th career appearance. A hopeful ball into the box by David Murphy saw Weaver make an absolute mess as he slipped to present Phillips with a routine header to the opposite corner.

Blues could now feel the come back was on and only five minutes after the equaliser it was Murphy again showing his skill inside the box as his shot was punched straight into the path of Queudrue who slotted the ball home to seal the win in front of the Tilton Road End.

After Blues were reduced to ten men Seb Larsson seemed to have a shout for a penalty but it was waved away by referee Keith Hill. Charlton did push for an equaliser late on as they tried their luck on several occasions but with saves from Maik Taylor Blues held on for a deserved victory despite going about it the hard way.