Managerless Middlesbrough beat Birmingham City at the Riverside to move out of the Championship relegation zone.
Chuba Akpom reacted quickest to Blues' failure to deal with a corner to crash home the decisive goal in Boro's first game since Chris Wilder's sacking.
Zack Steffen ensured they held on to the lead at the break, denying Scott Hogan after he intercepted a weak backpass from Anfernee Dijksteel.
Steffen also crucially saved efforts from Tahith Chong and Emmanuel Longelo, while Boro were prevented from scoring another goal in the second half for offside when Marcus Forss steered the ball home after Rodrigo Muniz hit the bar.