Barnsley 1, Birmingham 0.

Steve Bruce pointed an accusing finger at Barnsley assistant manager Ryan Kidd after an ugly post-match brawl overshadowed Birmingham's 1-0 defeat at Oakwell.

Daniel Nardiello's 52nd-minute strike settled an absorbing encounter before a fracas at the final whistle saw Blues midfielder Neil Danns and Barnsley's Bobby Hassell sent off by referee Mike Russell for violent conduct.

''That's going to take the headlines but I won't be making any comment until I've seen the referee's report,'' Bruce said.

''But I saw their assistant (Kidd) wading in, so what's all that about?

''We will see the video evidence and make a decision from there over whether to appeal.''

Though the brawl began between substitute Danns and defender Hassell, other players became involved and Barnsley manager Simon Davey ran on to the pitch in an attempt to diffuse the situation.

Davey said he was unconcerned about any potential charge from the Football Association over failing to control his players.

However, he added: ''There was an altercation between the players but Bobby said he didn't do anything.

''The referee has said he will have a look at it and we will appeal because we don't want to be without Bobby for three games.

''It seemed to be handbags at ten paces and that's why I went on to the pitch to try and calm things down.

''If something got said or what I don't know, it just happened as soon as the whistle went.

''As far as I'm concerned no- one from our side said anything and it had all calmed down after the match in the changing rooms.''

Both players will serve three-match bans after the incident, which completely overshadowed a result which lifted Barnsley out of the relegation zone.

Nardiello, a former Manchester United trainee, produced a goal of sumptuous quality seven minutes after the break.

He embarked on a strong run down the left and fired in a low shot which cannoned in off the far post.

Nardiello said: ''I'm a Coventry fan but a lot of my mates are Birmingham supporters and were here today.

''It's my dad's 50th birthday so it's been a great day all round. We believe we can stay up.''

Birmingham are faltering badly and this was their second loss to one of the division's strugglers in three days.

They slumped 1-0 at home to Burnley on Saturday and, although they totally dominated the second half, their impotence was again brutally exposed.

Bruce was greeted with boos by the 7,000-strong travelling support at the final whistle.

He said: ''We created chances, two or three in the first half and maybe eight in the second half.

''The strikers have not produced the goods since Christmas and have not given us the return that we expected.

''We tried to rectify that by bringing in Andy Cole on loan, but then he got a hamstring injury."

Tykes boss Davey praised his players for their response after the 5-1 capitulation at Ipswich on Saturday.

Birmingham's defeats have strengthened Derby's promotion chances, despite a second successive 1-1 draw.

They were held at home to Coventry, and manager Billy Davies said: ''We've now got to go and grab this with both hands.

''We've got to be confident, we've got to be positive.

''We know it won't be easy, we know there's tough games ahead, we know there's still lots of twists and turns.''