Birmingham brought about their own downfall after being caught by two Bolton sucker-punches in their 2-1 defeat at St Andrew's.The visitors took the lead with Tamir Cohen's 10th minute header, and even though Birmingham laboured they looked to have snatched a point with substitute Kevin Phillips's 83rd-minute equaliser.
But they allowed Wanderers substitute Chung-Yong Lee to poach the winner two minutes later.
REACTION:
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish has revealed plans to speak to the club's incoming new owners for the first time next week.
And the chances are thrashing out a Premier League survival plan will be high on the agenda. It's almost certain McLeish will want funds to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window.
It's not hard for new owner Carson Yeung to see where the cash needs to be splashed.
First, though, McLeish needs to confirm he is part of the new consortium's future plans.
Said McLeish: "I'm not apprehensive. I'm full of anticipation and looking forward to working with the new owners. I've not met them yet, but I will contact Sammy Yu (the club's new Chief Executive) next week.
"I'm looking forward to working with him and I hope he's looking forward to working with me. I'm disappointed that we switched off at such a crucial time and the players are learning some harsh lessons about being in the Premier League.
"For the two minutes after we equalised it was almost as though they were in a trance."
Bolton manager Gary Megson was delighted to see Chung-Yong Lee grab the winner.
The South Korean, making only his fourth league appearance after his summer move from FC Seoul, had earlier missed an easy chance and also lost the ball in the build-up to Birmingham's equaliser.
Said Megson: "He's such a lovely lad. He apologised profusely for giving the ball away for their equaliser and he'll learn from that.
"He's getting stronger and better and helped turn the game when he came on during our Carling Cup win over West Ham on Tuesday. I'm disappointed that we did not put the game to bed when we were 1-0 up, we sat too deep, and were our own worst enemies in letting Birmingham back into it.
"When they bring on Phillips you know he's going to cause you problems and that's what he did."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Birmingham switched off after getting back into the game thanks to Kevin Phillips' late equaliser and handed Bolton the points. When Matt Taylor's free-kick came back off the post, the Blues defenders were asleep.
WHAT IT MEANS:
The result is far more significant for Bolton, and in particular Gary Megson. He might not be the fans' favourite, but this was their fourth game without defeat, they are now halfway up the table and also in the last 16 of the Carling Cup.
QUOTABLE:
"Chung-Yong (Lee) is learning English and said 'Fank Yoo Matt' for his goal,"
- Bolton manager Gary Megson (who admitted his command of Korean is far worse than Lee's English)
BIRMINGHAM 1 (Phillips 83) BOLTON 2 (Cohen 10, Lee 85)
PLAYER MARKING:
Birmingham (4-5-1): Hart 6; Carr 6, Johnson 6, Dann 6, Vignal 6 (Phillips 76, 5); Larsson 6, Ferguson 6, Tainio 5 (O'Connor 61, 6), Bowyer 6, Fahey 6; Benitez 7. Subs: Taylor, Ridgewell, O'Connor, Espinoza, McSheffrey, Carsley.
Bolton: (4-5-1): Jaaskelainen 6; Ricketts 6, Cahill 6, Knight 6, Samuel 6; K Davies 6, Muamba 6, Taylor 6, Cohen 6, Gardner 6 (McCann 70, 6); Klasnic 5 (Lee 53, 6). Subs: Al Habsi, O,Brien, M Davies, Elmander, Steinsson.
ATTENDANCE: 28,671
NEXT UP:
- Burnley v Birmingham (Away), Premier League Saturday (03/10), 1500 BST
- Bolton v Tottenham (Home), Premier League Saturday (03/10), 1500 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Gary Cahill (Bolton): Assured performance under the watchful eye of England coach Fabio Capello. Cahill might not be first or even second in the queue for a ticket to South Africa next summer, but if any of Capello's regular defenders pick up injuries between then and now he could enter the equation.
