August Priske's first-half penalty for Birmingham City consigned West Bromwich Albion to their first defeat at home this season.

The Dane picked himself up after being fouled by Nathaniel Phillips to coolly slot past goalkeeper Max O'Leary, who was otherwise unbeatable before the break.

The Baggies keeper had done superbly well to deny Jay Stansfield early on and was equally impressive as he foiled Phil Neumann soon after Priske's opener.

While O'Leary's efforts kept West Brom in the game, James Beadle's second-half save to deny Chris Mepham is what ensured Birmingham City hung on for a win that moved them above the Baggies in the Championship table on goal difference.

O'Leary turned 30 on Blues' trip to The Hawthorns, but quickly showed he was not in a giving mood as he came up with a sprawling save to keep Stansfield out from point-blank range.

Minutes later it was the right-hand post that denied Aune Heggebo from breaking the deadlock at the other end, with a deflected pass from Rabby Nzingoula sitting up invitingly for the Norwegian, who could only guide his effort on to the woodwork.

Both Birmingham and West Brom were guilty of wasting huge first-half chances after that – with Jhon Solis first failing to make any meaningful connection on the ball when it dropped to him 15 yards out for Blues, while Felix Myhre thumped a header over the bar from eight yards when he had an almost empty net to aim at.

When Phillips got a hold of Priske as he attempted to meet a cross in the box, it gave the Dane the chance to break the deadlock from the spot.

And while Priske sent O'Leary the wrong way with his penalty, the goalkeeper was equal to Neumann's close-range header which looked destined for the back of the net soon after.

Solis and Stansfield had chances to double the advantage after the break, but both had their fiercely struck efforts blocked, while Patrick Roberts had an appeal for a penalty waved away by referee Gavin Ward when Chris Mephan appeared to lunge at leg in front of the winger.

West Brom improved after that. Ousmane Diakite flashed an effort just wide from distance and Mepham zig-zagged his way into the box before testing Beadle, who also went on to tip a header from Barney Stewart over the bar.

While O'Leary had far less to do in the second half, he still needed to be alert to keep Demarai Gray out at his near post late on.

West Bromwich Albion head coach James Morrison told BBC WM:

"I'm disappointed with the result, of course. I was really disappointed with the first-half performance, I didn't see anywhere near enough aggression.

"And with the timing of the goal, it was important to get to half-time and address the defensive structure really because they were playing through us a little bit too much.

"They surprised us really with how they changed their formation, so we had to tweak that. In the second half we were trying, but again I didn't see the intensity and there were too many performances that weren't at the level that we expect."

Birmingham City boss Chris Davies told BBC WM:

"We did well, it was a very good win and I liked the way we played the match.

"We made a bright start and showed that intent that we have shown away from home with our set-pieces and our power.

"And when the game settled a little bit there was some good football in there, some control, some good moves and I liked the look of us.

"We fully deserved the win, and it could have had a couple more goals before we actually scored. But we deserved the lead and then from there I liked the way we finished the match."