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Bolton logo
Championship
May 3, 2014 at 12.15pm UK
 
Birmingham logo

2-2

Lee (57'), Jutkiewicz (76')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Zigic (78'), Caddis (90')

Birmingham City fightback secures their Championship safety

Birmingham City come back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Bolton Wanderers and secure their place in next season's Championship.

Birmingham City came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Bolton Wanderers this afternoon and secure their place in next season's Championship.

Lee Clark's side looked doomed after the Trotters took a 2-0 lead, but goals from Nikola Zigic and Paul Caddis turned it around late on.

Nikola Zigic, Paul Robinson, Callum Reilly and Tom Adeyemi of Birmingham City look dejected after a goal from Bolton Wanderers on May 3, 2014© Getty Images

Birmingham had the best of the early chances, and Lee Novak forced Andy Lonergan into two saves in quick succession just after the half-hour mark.

Zigic had the ball in the net shortly after Novak's second, but the Serbian striker's effort was chalked off for offside.

Hayden Mullins made an interception to deny Jermaine Beckford as the striker appeared set for a shot inside the six-yard box.

David Wheater headed down a free kick and Lee Chung-Yong smashed home a low drive from the right to leave the visitors with an uphill task.

Neil Danns of Bolton Wanderers tackles Tom Adeyemi of Birmingham City during the Sky Bet Championship match on May 3, 2014© Getty Images

Clark sent on Jordon Ibe and Federico Macheda in an attempt to turn things around, and the on-loan Liverpool youngster almost had an immediate impact.

His cross found Novak, but he could only fire wide of the post on 66 minutes, before Ibe forced Lonergan into a save from a free kick a few minutes later.

Paul Caddis of Birmingham City celebrates as he scores their second goal with a header to equalise during the Sky Bet Championship match against Bolton Wanderers on May 3, 2014© Getty Images

Lukas Jutkiewicz squeezed the ball in at the near post to double Bolton's lead on 76 minutes, before Zigic halved it moments later to give Birmingham a fighting chance in the last 10 minutes.

With seconds remaining, Caddis popped up with the vital goal that sealed Birmingham place in next season's Championship at Doncaster's expense.

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Neil Danns of Bolton Wanderers tackles Tom Adeyemi of Birmingham City during the Sky Bet Championship match on May 3, 2014
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