Alex McLeish reverted to the line-up that went a record 12 Premier League games unchanged, with Benitez fit again and returning to the side after missing the midweek trip to West Ham with an ankle injury, James McFadden and Sebastian Larsson also came back into the first eleven as Phillips, Craig Gardner and Keith Fahey, were dropped to the bench after their start at Upton Park.

A bobbly surface meant both sides struggled to keep hold of the ball. Blues had the first chance of the game 15 minutes in when Jerome ran down the left past two defenders but the ball didn't find Benitez at the edge of the box. Derby keeper Stephen Bywater then needed two attempts to hold onto Lee Bowyer's low drive after fumbling the first, but he got down well to grab a header from Benitez at his far post soon after.

Jerome was close to opening the scoreboard himself moments later after gaining the ball from Larsson but Bywater made a superb save with one hand keeping the score level.

The home side responded with Stephen Pearson and Michael Tonge exchanging passes before Pearsons shot came back off the chest of Joe Hart.

Kris Commons then crossed the ball across the face of the goal before Hart had to be alert to save a header from Shaun Barker at point blank range.

Derby came back from the break knowing they had played well at the end of the first half and put pressure on the Blues, and it worked in the 55th minute when McEveley picked up the ball midway inside the Blues half and fired in a low shot which took a big bounce on its way behind Hart and went into the top corner.

Alex McLeish's reaction was to make a double substitution as Benitez and Larsson made way for Phillips and Fahey and it almost paid off immediately as Phillips' shot into the ground from close range was knocked behind by Bywater.

With 17 minutes left to play a set piece provided an equaliser for the Blues when McFaddens ball was met by Dann's strong header, Tonge tried his best to clear the ball on the line but it hit his leg and went into the net putting Blues back in the game.

With both teams now looking for that winning goal the ball went from end to end, Blues had to work slightly harder for a while as they had 10 men while Jerome had treatment off the field, McLeish was unable to make a substitution as he had just made his last by bringing on Gardner in place of McFadden, fortunately Jerome was able to return to the pitch and carry on play.

One minute into stoppage time, Birmingham won a free kick 40 yards from the goal, Gardner took the free kick which found Phillips who was unmarked six yards from goal, his shot came off the inside of the post and back out to Ridgewell who sent the ball home. Derby nearly equalised as Robbie Savage, who was taunted by the Blues fans at the start of the match, volleyed the ball from 30 yards which looked like it was heading straight into the top corner, however Hart dived fully stretched and managed to tip the ball over leaving the Blues fans celebrating the continuation of what has so far been a fantastic season for them.

Full-time: Derby 1 Blues 2

Attendance: 21,043

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