The FA Cup continues to provide beleaguered Birmingham with a ray of light in a bleak season that could yet end in relegation.
For the first time in 22 years, the Blues are through to the quarter-finals as Mikael Forssell's sixth goal of the season in the domestic game gave his side a 1-0 victory over Stoke.
However, the Finland international has scored four goals in his last seven appearances, and with three of those in each round of the cup, is proving something of a lucky charm for boss Steve Bruce.
But it was hardly inspiring stuff either side of the game's solitary strike, symptomatic of the plight of these two teams, in particular the Blues as they stare relegation in the face.
If Bruce's players showed the same application for the fight as Stoke strikers Sammy Bangoura and Mamady Sidibe they might not be in the predicament in which they find themselves.
Stoke never appeared overawed at any stage and that allowed them to eventually take the game to their apparently more illustrious opponents, although with chances in short supply.
There was initially one strong penalty shout against Nicky Butt, restored to the side following a fit of pique last week that led to him walking out ahead of the 3-0 defeat at West Ham because he was not in the side.
Bangoura had two chances after the half hour, with the first easily dealt with by Maik Taylor, while the second flashed past the left-hand post after Clint Hill had nodded a Dave Brammer corner into the danger area.
After Jermaine Pennant curled a 22-yard right-foot free-kick inches wide on 41 minutes - a full 34 minutes after his side's only other prior opportunity of the half - Taylor preserved the goalless status quo going into half-time.
But then a minute after the break came the only goal of the game, and a simple one in terms of creativity.
After a Butt drive from 22 yards was deflected inches wide, Pennant whipped in the ensuing corner for Martin Latka to flick onto the far post where Forssell was on hand to score.
Stoke, however, should have forced the tie to another replay for the struggling Blues. That was notwithstanding further heroics from Taylor, though, as he clawed away a powerful header from skipper Michael Duberry from 12 yards in meeting another Brammer corner.
But then in the 58th minute came the moment the tie was lost, with Bangoura clearly stunned to find Taylor in the right place on his line to collect a six-yard header. In meeting an inadvertent flick on from Alex Bruce to a right-wing cross from Sidibe, an unmarked Bangoura seemed destined to score, and would have done if his header had been either side of Taylor.
