Kevin Phillips was the hero as his second-half winner sent Birmingham back to the Barclays Premier League with a 2-1 win over Reading.

Phillips, whose goals helped West Brom to promotion from the Coca-Cola Championship just 12 months ago, slotted his 14th of the season to claim the three points at the Madejski Stadium and condemn the hosts to a play-off with Burnley.

The Blues had the lead in the 19th minute as James McFadden took a corner which was cleared back to him and he drilled a second cross deep to the back post.

Phillips cushioned a header down to Keith Fahey and, after cutting in from the left, the Irishman curled in a shot from the edge of the area which should have been gathered by Marcus Hahnemann but somehow squirmed through his grasp and over the line.

The visitors struck the second goal in the 60th minute. A throw found its way back to Fahey and he clipped an immaculate first-time pass to release Phillips, who was level with Michael Duberry. The home side called in vain for an offside flag while Phillips showed some trademark composure to calmly roll the ball wide of the advancing Hahnemann and into the far corner.

That appeared to be that but Reading found a way back into the game with a goal just a minute later. A set piece was brought under control at the back post by Dave Kitson and he smuggled it back to Marek Matejovsky on the edge of the area who arrowed a right-footed shot past Maik Taylor and into the bottom corner.