For Birmingham City supporters who made the trip to Pride Park on Saturday, the 2-1 victory over Derby County was not a straightforward afternoon. Writing for BBC Sport, fan correspondent Kym Smith captured the mood in the away end: tense, nervous at times, but ultimately joyful, and perhaps pointing to something quietly significant about this Birmingham side.

A nervy away end after Norwich

Coming off the back of a 2-1 defeat at Norwich, Blues fans arrived at Pride Park acutely aware of their side's historical tendency to fail to capitalise when opponents are struggling. Derby, for their part, had not enjoyed the start to the season they would have wanted, but according to Smith, the Rams had "noticeably pulled their socks up" after a poor showing against West Brom and were making themselves much harder to break down.

When Bobby Clark put Derby ahead just before the interval, the away section braced for a familiar kind of afternoon. Instead, Birmingham responded with real purpose, with Carlos Vicente equalising almost immediately with what Smith describes as "a wonderful diving header." It was exactly the sort of moment supporters had been waiting for: a sign that this group might not simply accept adversity.

Solis and Paik provide the quality

The return of Jhon Solis to the midfield was warmly welcomed by the travelling support. Smith noted how much his presence had been missed, though his return was managed carefully, with the midfielder substituted after an hour as expected. His replacement, Paik Seung-ho, had already drawn praise from Blues fans and players alike in recent weeks, and he underlined his value once more by providing the winner that, in Smith's words, "set the away end bouncing."

Luis Vazquez's extraordinary miss, putting the ball over the bar from around two yards out with Blues pushing for a third, provided a moment of dark comedy, but it did not prove costly. Derby poured forward in search of an equaliser, the added time extended by an injury to Henrik Meister, and Birmingham were eventually forced to defend with seven men behind the ball. They held firm.

Resilience: the hallmark of a marathon campaign

Smith's central observation is one that resonates beyond a single result. "What we do seem to be developing is some resilience," she writes, "which you need in the marathon that is the Championship season." It is a point worth taking seriously. The second tier is unforgiving in its relentlessness, and the clubs that endure a long campaign tend to be those who can grind out results when they are not playing well, and hold shape when the pressure mounts.

For Birmingham, a club still building identity and cohesion, that kind of mental fortitude, earned rather than assumed, could prove as important as any individual quality in the squad.

Middlesbrough next

Attention turns quickly to the next fixture, with Middlesbrough the visitors. Smith flags it as another examination of that developing resilience. Middlesbrough have a physical, well-organised profile under their management that typically tests opponents in uncomfortable ways. If Birmingham can produce a similarly determined display, the mood around St Andrew's could shift considerably from where it stood after the Norwich defeat.

Away from the football, Smith also acknowledged the Derby supporters who helped Blues fans pay tribute to the late Paul Pike, a young Birmingham fan who passed away earlier this year. It was a reminder of the broader human community that Championship football, for all its tension, continues to foster.

Frequently asked

What was the score when Birmingham City beat Derby County at Pride Park?
Birmingham City won 2-1. Derby took the lead through Bobby Clark just before half-time, but Carlos Vicente equalised almost immediately and Paik Seung-ho scored the winner after coming on as a substitute.
Who scored for Birmingham City against Derby?
Carlos Vicente equalised with a diving header before half-time, and Paik Seung-ho scored the winning goal after replacing Jhon Solis in the second half.
Who are Birmingham City playing next after the win over Derby?
Birmingham City's next fixture is against Middlesbrough, which is expected to be another tough test of the resilience the squad appears to be developing.