Opening his account - Nikola Zigic heads his first goal home against Leeds United

Nikola Zigic's four-goal haul pushed his Blues side back into the play-off spots on a famous night at Elland Road.

The contest remained in the balance with 30 minutes to play, but breathless finishing from Zigic in the space of seven second-half minutes saw off a stubborn Leeds United.

And not only did the 31-year-old extend Blues' unbeaten run to ten games, he also became the first man to score four goals in one game for the club since Kenny Burns achieved the feat in 1976 versus Derby.

Battle for the ball - Chris Burke and Aidan White

However, Blues didn't have things all their own way as Simon Grayson's men forged ahead in the midst of a dominant period on 19 minutes.

Leeds could have scored much earlier, but neat link-up play between Ross McCormack and Luciano Becchio failed to result in a goal.

In the second minute, Becchio made a mess of the easiest of tap-ins presented to him from McCormack's cross, then the Argentine hacked wide his strike partner's defence-splitting through-ball.

The visitors appeared to be settling into the game after early pressure from the hosts, leading to Chris Burke firstly shooting straight at Andrew Lonergan, then the latter tipped over Burke's lofted attempt after Jonathan Spector slotted the Scot through.

However, the Whites soon seized the advantage through McCormack.

Leeds take the lead - Ross cCormack

The former Motherwell player eased past Curtis Davies on the edge of the box and struck the ball into the bottom corner past a helpless Boaz Myhill.

Birmingham struggled to work their way back into proceedings, though, with half-an-hour played, and out of nowhere, Zigic smartly nodded home Wade Elliott's near-post cross.

An eventful first period petered out from this point - much to Blues' liking - but in stoppage time Steven Caldwell had to survive handball claims. To the centre-back's relief, Mike Dean didn't point to the spot.

It's a hat-trick - Zigic nets his third goal

Chris Hughton's side started the second-half with a quick tempo, though, at the opposite end, Myhill was needed to keep the scores level.

Becchio tested the Wales international with a close range header, and then a 25-yard screamer from the Leeds striker forced the 'keeper into a world-class save.

But Zigic turned the match on its head with three wonderfully-taken goals.

In it together - The Serb's team mates help him celebrate

His second of the evening was emphatically smashed home after Burke did brilliantly to slide the ball in.

Then the former Valencia forward secured his hat-trick three minutes later, when he headed home Morgaro Gomis' inviting cross from the left.

And the giant Serb notched up the last goal of the evening from Jordon Mutch's in-swinging corner, which proved to be his last contribution of the evening after picking up an injury in the process.

Nevertheless, the victory was secured and Blues comfortably played out the final 20 minutes on a chilly West Yorkshire night - to surge up to fourth in the npower Championship.

Full time: Leeds United 1 Blues 4

Leeds: Andrew Lonergan, Zac Thompson, Tom Lees, Darren O'Dea, Aidan White, Robert Snodgrass, Adam Clayton, Fabian Delph, Andros Townsend, Ross McCormack, Luciano Becchio.
Subs (unused): Maik Taylor, Alex Bruce, Michael Brown, Danny Pugh, Ramon Nunez.
Bookings: O'Dea (86)
Goals: McCormack (19)

Blues: Boaz Myhill, Jonathan Spector, Steven Caldwell (C), Curtis Davies, David Murphy, Chris Burke, Morgaro Gomis (Nathan Redmond 80), Keith Fahey, Jordon Mutch, Wade Elliott, Nikola Zigic (Adam Rooney 70).
Subs (unused): Colin Doyle, Stephen Carr, Pablo Ibanez.
Bookings: Spector (36), Davies (88)
Goals: Zigic (30, 61, 64, 68)

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 19,628
Report by Paddy Day