Birmingham City ended their home season with a flourish as they secured victory over Bristol City in their final match at St Andrew's.

Phil Neumann's volley and Jhon Solis' finish put the hosts in control after 45 minutes, with their high press proving effective against a possession-dominant Robins side.

Roy Hodgson's team improved after the break and pulled one back through Tomi Horvat's late penalty but it was too little too late as the Blues confirmed a third straight win on home soil.

The result also means the Robins, who reached the play-offs last term, cannot finish above 10th-placed Birmingham, as the visitors dropped to 13th on 59 points.

While Hodgson's first stint at Ashton Gate back in 1982 was, by his own admission, "nothing short of a disaster", the former England boss has steadied the ship since replacing Gerhard Struber in March on a deal until the end of the season.

Had they beaten the Blues, it would have been the first time in 24 years the Robins recorded a league double over their fellow mid-table side - they beat Birmingham 1-0 in October - but Neumann quickly put that possibility to rest.

The German centre-half opened the scoring, meeting Demarai Gray's right-wing free-kick with a well-taken volley for his third goal in Birmingham colours.

Gray was influential throughout and struck the post from distance in the middle of the first half with an impressive 25-yard free-kick.

That came shortly before Solis capitalised on a defensive error, as the visitors were making an effort to play out from the back, to fire in his first goal since arriving on loan from Girona in January.

The Blues nearly stretched their advantage after the break when August Priske saw his dinked effort over Bristol City goalkeeper Radek Vitek rebound off the post.

But the visitors were handed a route back into the game late on when Horvat converted from the spot after being fouled by Jay Stansfield as he tracked back to help his defence.

However, Birmingham managed the closing stages to extend their recent unbeaten run to four games while Bristol City's winless streak extended to four.

Chris Davies told BBC Radio WM: "It was a very good win. I know there was really good feedback from Bristol City's last game against Southampton where they gave them a really good game.

"So I was aware that we'd have to press well today because they wanted to get on the ball and play.

"I think our first season back up, we're guaranteed a top-half finish now. I think more importantly, we've got a template now and a team that's growing together that you can go and see being really effective next season.

"I'm feeling really good about the future and what we can do."

Bristol City boss Roy Hodgson told BBC Radio Bristol: "We started very well, but of course those two goals, the first one came with their first serious attack in our half."

"They scored a good goal from the free kick, but the second goal was obviously a bit of a killer blow, particularly at half time.

"You're looking much more down the barrel of the gun than you would have been at one there. I can't fault the players for effort at all and I thought there were times during the game where we once again played very well.

"We were up against a very strong and physical Birmingham team, playing in front of the home crowd and it was always going to be a difficult game for us."