For 77 minutes, £6million playmaker Jota sat on the bench, dropped for this fixture, symbolising Birmingham’s struggles and underachievement.
Six minutes after coming on, his shot from the edge of the area was palmed out by Leeds keeper Felix Wiedwald, and was powered into the roof of the net by Jacques Maghoma.
It was only Birmingham’s 13th league goal of the season and provides just a ninth win of 2017 in total, but it, along with a gutsy performance against promotion chasers, gives hope that 2018 can be something better.
A late goal by Jacques Maghoma (above) goal fired Steve Cotterill’s men to victory
Birmingham enjoyed a bright first 10 minutes; captain Harlee Dean flicked on long throw by centre back partner Marc Roberts, with appeals for penalty as the ball seemed to strike a Leeds arm, but the claims were waved away by referee Tim Robinson.
Southampton loanee striker Sam Gallagher – the top scorer with three goals, returning after suspension ruled him out of the loss to Norwich – was a hard-working target man, and almost got a touch on a low Jonathan Grounds cross which would have brought the opener.
The home fans were enthused by a sparky performance against a side gunning for the top two. When Ezgjan Alioski was denied in the home box by a tough Gardner challenge, the majority of the 21, 673 fans in St Andrew’s roared their approval.
Birmingham City beat Leeds United 1-0 at St Andrews in the Championship on Saturday
However the creativity dried up, with the hosts increasingly dependent on set pieces until Jota – linked with Premier League clubs last summer after a hugely impressive season with Brentford – was brought on by manager Steve Cotterill.
They continued to have the better of the possession after the break, but as the hour mark ticked by without a shot on target, the reasons for their predicament became more and more obvious.
It was summed up midway through the second period when a long ball forward was headed up rather than away, giving Maghoma an ideal chance to volley at Felix Wiedwald. He sized it up, took a swing, and performed a complete air kick to groans and jeers. He would have his moment, however.
Saturday’s victory was Birmingham’s ninth of 2017 with only their 13th league goal this term
But it was a gutsy performance against Championship promotion chasers Leeds on Saturday
Leeds struggled to build momentum. Samuel Saiz, so impressive since his summer arrival and often the main attacking force, was on the bench after injury.
Ten minutes into the second half, he was introduced and provided United’s only real stand-out moment of the second half – a positive run at a back-peddling defence, before feeding Pablo Hernandez, whose shot was well deflected onto the crossbar and over by David Stockdale.
David Davis finally had Birmingham’s first shot on target after 78 minutes – a finely struck low effort that Wiedwald turned away – but they kept on plugging, and finally got the break they deserved.
It’s a quick turnaround for both – Leeds host Nottingham Forest on New Year’s Day, Birmingham go to Reading the day after – and the Blues will be looking to carry some rediscovered momentum.