Facey secures late Bolton win

Kenny Cunningham's own goal put Bolton in front

Bolton 4-2 Birmingham

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Bolton left it late to secure their first Premiership win since Boxing Day with a thrilling victory over Birmingham at the Reebok Stadium.

Delroy Facey and Youri Djorkaeff both scored in the final 10 minutes to cruelly deny Birmingham, who had twice come from behind.

We aleays kept our noses in front and that was important for us today

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce

The defeat leaves Birmingham without a win in the Premiership for seven games.

Bolton took the lead in the 12th minute after an error by defender Kenny Cunningham.

Ricardo Gardner sent in a cross from the left that did not appear to be that dangerous.

But Cunningham got a poor touch and steered the ball past stranded keeper Ian Bennett.

The goal came after a good spell of pressure from Birmingham with Christophe Dugarry orchestrating the visitors' attacking play.

But Bolton's defence stood firm and both Bernard Mendy and Gundi Bergsson were forced to make timely interceptions.

Key moments

12 mins: Kenny Cunningham's own goal puts Bolton ahead

44 mins: Robbie Savage nets the equaliser

46 mins: Pedersen puts Bolton back in front

60 mins: Clinton Morrison draws Birmingham level

84 mins: Youri Djorkaeff looks to have scored the winner

87 mins: Delroy Facey secures the three points

Pedersen almost added a second for Bolton but under pressure from Jeff Kenna steered his shot wide.

Dugarry should have done better in the 28th minute when he found himself unmarked in a good position, only to head wide.

But the Frenchman made amends on the stroke of half-time.

You can't give away goals like that and we shot ourselves in the foot

Birmimgham manager Steve Bruce

Dugarry picked out Stan Lazaridis on the left and the Australian's superb ball across the face of the goal found Robbie Savage who steered home the equaliser.

But Sam Allardyce's half-time words clearly invigorated Bolton who regained their advantage just 35 seconds after the restart.

Djorkaeff showed great skill to create some space in the box and his through ball was bundled in by Henrik Pedersen.

Gardner should have made it 3-1 a minute later but he dragged his effort across the face of the goal and wide of the post.

Premiership photos

And he was made to rue the missed chance on the hour mark when Stephen Clemence and Clinton Morrison combined for Birmingham's equaliser.

Both sides failed to take chances as the game progressed and Bolton looked like being frustrated in their search for the winner.

But with just six minutes to go, Jay Jay Okocha pounced on Bennett's poor clearance to set up Djorkaeff for Bolton's third.

Minutes later substitute Facey was quickest to react to Okocha's parried shot to fire past Bennett and send the home crowd into hysterics.

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Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Mendy, Bergsson, N'Gotty, Charlton, Frandsen, Campo, Okocha, Gardner, Djorkaeff, Pedersen (Facey 81).
Subs Not Used: Poole, Nolan, Barness, Tofting.

Booked: Gardner, Frandsen.

Birmingham: Bennett, Kenna, Cunningham, Upson, Clapham, Devlin (Kirovski 73), Savage, Clemence, Lazaridis, Morrison, Dugarry (John 67).
Subs Not Used: Vaesen, Michael Johnson, Swierczewski.

Booked: Morrison, Dugarry.

Attendance: 24,288

Referee: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).