Marvin Ducksch scored twice as Birmingham ended their seven-game winless streak with a 3-2 victory over Championship leaders Coventry.

The former Germany international grabbed a goal in each half as fortunes ebbed and flowed in a derby fixture that delivered drama from the first whistle until stoppage time when visiting defender Bobby Thomas was dismissed. Birmingham led three times but were pegged back twice by Frank Lampard’s side, who have now won just twice in their last eight outings.

The match got off to an explosive start with both teams finding the net inside eight minutes.

Chris Davies’ team were the first to notch following a move that began inside their own half. Lewis Koumas laid the ball back to Paik Seung-ho, with the South Korea international finding debutant Kai Wagner striding down the left.

The German, signed from Philadelphia Union for £2m on Friday, crossed the ball into the area and Ducksch found the back of the net with a measured finish on the volley.

But Coventry were level inside two minutes. Mason Ephron-Clark made a nuisance of himself and the ball fell to Josh Eccles, 15 yards outside the Birmingham area. The midfielder strode forward and let...