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Stoke City boss Gary Rowett was left frustrated by the Potters' third home defeat this season - and his first in four meetings with the club he left in December 2016

Stoke City boss Gary Rowett questioned whether referees should have the power to dismiss managers after being sent off in the defeat by his former club Birmingham City.

Che Adams' 81st-minute far-post strike earned Blues victory over their former manager when he poked home at the far post from Lukas Jutkiewicz's hard, low left-wing cross.

But, just four minutes later, at the other end, Adams appeared to keep out Joe Allen's goalbound effort with his right arm - and Rowett was sent off by referee Roger East for protesting against the decision before being escorted down the tunnel.

Rowett claimed that the incident incited the 28,160 crowd at the bet365 Stadium - Stoke's highest attendance in the second tier for 56 years.

"If I've been abusive or sworn at the referee I'm honest enough to say that I've done that but I didn't do that," said Rowett.

"I said to the ref 'That's two handballs. That's two penalties'. He's sent me off. He told me that I've said something completely different. It'll be my word against the referee and of course they're going to take the referee's side of it.

"What we've done is given the officials extra power to brandish a card at the manager in front of a whole stadium. For me, that incites the game more than a manager trying to articulate he doesn't agree."

Stoke almost went ahead before the break when Michael Morrison deflected the ball just past his own goal, Bojan also went close - and Allen had a chance for the home side early in the second half, but blazed over from close range.

Blues wing-back Maxime Colin then smashed against the Stoke crossbar midway through the second half, before Blues went ahead. But just four minutes after the goal, Stoke's players and fans were incensed when Allen tried to stab in after substitute Peter Crouch's 85th-minute header.

Birmingham's ninth game without defeat leapfrogs Blues above Stoke into 14th place in the Championship table, while the Potters drop three places to 17th.

Stoke boss Rowett had not lost in three previous meetings with Birmingham since he left the club in December 2016 - with Derby County. But Monk succeeded where Gianfranco Zola, Lee Carsley and Steve Cotterill all failed.

Birmingham striker Che Adams scored for the fourth time this season

Birmingham City boss Garry Monk told BBC WM:

"What a huge three points considering who we're playing, away from home against one of the best squads in the league and very much fancied for promotion.

"The lads deserved it for a real gutsy display for showing such heart. We defended well and, when we had a moment late on, we were clinical with the finish.

"The spirit at this club right now is fantastic. We're harnessing that energy and it was good to send that packed away end home happy."