Birmingham win promotion to premier league

London - Birmingham City won promotion to the English premier league on Sunday by beating Norwich City 4-2 on penalties after a pulsating first division playoff final had finished 1-1 after extra time at the Millennium Stadium.

Darren Carter, 18, scored from the spot to send the Birmingham fans into celebration after Norwich had missed two penalties in the shootout.

Norwich's Phil Mulryne saw his penalty saved by Birmingham goalkeeper Nico Vaesen and Darryl Sutch placed his spot kick wide, while Stern John, Paul Devlin and Stan Lazaridis had all converted for Steve Bruce's side.

Norwich got off to a perfect start in the first minute of extra time when striker Iwan Roberts, a late substitute in normal time, rose unmarked in the penalty area to head home a cross from fellow substitute and former Manchester United reserve Alex Notman.

But Birmingham hit back after 102 minutes when Geoff Horsfield stooped low to head a Jeff Kenna knock-back past Norwich goalkeeper Robert Green.