READING, England (AFP) - Andre Bikey was Reading's unlikely saviour as he scored twice in a 2-1 Premier League win over Birmingham City at the Madejski Stadium here Saturday.

The Cameroonian centre-back headed in from two set-pieces in either half to ease Reading's relegation fears.

However, this defeat will do little to ease the pressure on Birmingham manager Alex McLeish, whose team now sit precariously above the bottom three.

Dave Kitson returned to the starting line-up for Reading in place of Irishman Shane Long, who vented his frustration when substituted in last weekend's match against Liverpool.

McLeish chose to leave Martin Taylor out of his squad for this key game even though the defender has now served his three-match suspension for the red-card he received following his tackle on Eduardo which left the Arsenal striker with a broken leg.

James McFadden, who McLeish selected for international duty when he was Scotland manager, also missed out after knee surgery and that left City's Mikael Forssell up front on his own as the lone striker.

Yet it was Gary McSheffrey who had the best chance to open the scoring for Birmingham in the 10th minute.

The winger almost capitalised on a slip by Liam Rosenior but put his shot wide of the post.

At the other end, Reading came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock.

First Kitson appeared to be manhandled in the box by Liam Ridgewell, although the striker's appeals were waved away by referee Mike Riley.

Stephen Hunt then failed to connect with Marek Matejovsky's inviting cross, as Ridgewell hacked the ball away.

Hunt then came even closer when his shot from 25 yards clipped the crossbar and went over.

But Reading did not have to wait long to take the lead when Fabrice Muamba was penalised for his high tackle on Hunt and the Royals went ahead from the resulting set-piece.

John Oster's looping free-kick was perfect for Bikey, who headed past keeper Maik Taylor from close range.

After the re-start, Oster shot over from just six yards out as Reading went close to doubling their lead.

But they were made to pay for their poor finishing when Birmingham clawed their way back into the match in the 64th minute.

Forssell battled hard and turned Ivar Ingimarsson in the box before crossing for Mauro Zarate.

The 21-year-old had stolen in front of Bikey to bundle the ball over the line for his first goal for the club.

Forssell himself was then denied a clear shot at goal by Marcus Hahnemann, who made a brave save to deny the Finnish international after Ingimarsson made another error.

But the game swung back in Reading's favour, when Bikey netted his second goal of the match in similar fashion to his first after he headed in from a ball floated into the six-yard box by Nicky Shorey.