Nahki Wells’s scoring drought was extended to five matches this afternoon, but the Bermudian could take solace from Huddersfield Town winning 2-1 away to Birmingham City to move to thirteenth place in the Sky Bet Championship.

Huddersfield have had a stark reality check given to their promotion play-off ambitions in recent weeks, with heavy defeats by Leeds United and Nottingham Forest. Perhaps the same can be said for Wells after his club-record move from Bradford City last month. But they have the look of a solid mid-table club, a theory that was reinforced by a fine effort at St Andrew’s in front of 14,112.

Oliver Norwood gave Huddersfield a tenth-minute lead and the heavily bearded Adam Clayton repeated his heroics from their previous victory over Wigan Athletic when he popped up to make it 2-0 on the hour.

Birmingham have recent history of late goals, especially at home, having scored twice to force a 3-3 draw with promotion-chasing Derby County in their previous home match on February 1. To be forewarned is to be forearmed, but Huddersfield were still forced to cling on for the points after Peter Lovenkrands, the Denmark and former Newcastle United forward, scored in the fifth minute of time added on.

Wells, despite not getting on the scoresheet, accrued another valuable 89 minutes of Championship football before he was replaced by Sean Scannell in a tactical substitution.

Birmingham stay in eighteenth place, nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Mark Robins, the Huddersfield manager, was as pleased as he has been all season with the performance, especially in the wake of the 3-0 home defeat by Forest on Tuesday.

“We were excellent today and controlled the game in difficult conditions,” he told the club’s official website. “We passed it well and since the Nottingham Forest game the lads have been magnificent. We could have won the game a little easier and it was disappointing to concede, but the win was the all-important thing.

“From Alex Smithies [in goal] to Nahki Wells, there were some excellent performances. Danny Ward linked the play superbly and the midfielders did well to control the game and keep them down to just a few chances.”

Robins had a sense in midweek to expect something special. “We passed the ball a lot better and showed what we are capable,” Robins said. “The players have trained very well since Tuesday night and that gave me an indication of what type of performance to expect. It was a fine away display.

“Sometimes they don’t get it right and make mistakes, but they are brave enough to come out and try again. St Andrew’s is a tough place to play football; although they haven’t won too many at home lately, Birmingham always give you a good game.”