It was the 241st goal of Phillips' career and it could not have come at a better time as Birmingham were struggling to find their form against a Charlton side that is in the bottom half of the table.
In a blood and thunder game Birmingham finished with only ten players after Nigel Quashie was sent off for two yellow cards.
Charlton scored two goals away from home this season but it was not enough to earn them the points after they had built up a 2-1 interval lead.
Only a fighting second-half performance got Birmingham out of jail when they displayed more fighting spirit after a poor first period when questions were raised about the composition of the side in all departments.
After failing to win their previous three games which had cost them the Championship leadership, Birmingham admittedly made a determined bid to restore some of their lost pride with their battling second-half display.
Against a side which had only scored five away goals, Birmingham primed their side with three strikers and manager Alex McLeish was seemingly justified with his selection early in the match.
Following a fragmented start, the game suddenly exploded in the 13th minute when James McFadden put Birmingham ahead.
Seb Larsson's corner was only partially cleared and the Scot skilfully flipped the ball over the head of an opponent before producing a low curling shot through a packed defence into the corner of the net.
Charlton, without a win in their last six games, were not prepared to turn over and accept defeat as they hit back with a stunning equaliser in the 21st minute.
A long right-wing cross from Yassin Moutaouakil to the far past was met first time by Hameur Bouazza to equalise with a terrific shot into the roof of the net.
Birmingham's defence was caught napping but worse was to follow in the 27th minute. A long clearance from Charlton's defence by Nicky Bailey was missed by Liam Ridgewell and Andy Gray pounced to hit a first-time shot which went into the net off the base of a post.
Tempers suddenly became frayed on both sides with Quashie and Lloyd Sam both being booked as a result of one clash by exasperated referee Keith Hill, who read the riot act to both players.
The game suddenly exploded at the stat of the second half. Phillips missed a gilt-edged chance in the 46th minute and Birmingham's problems could have been worse seconds later when Sam hit the post.
Phillips then atoned in the 50th minute with an equaliser. Nicky Weaver slipped as he was about to claim Quashie's cross and he could only parry the ball to Phillips who headed home.
Weaver again failed to hold another Quashie cross in the 53rd minute and pushed the ball into the path of Franck Queudrue to score from close range.
Birmingham then had to battle with ten men after Quashie was sent off following a tackle on Bailey which earned him a second yellow card.