Bolton Wanderers, despite conceding a hugely debatable penalty, eventually secured 14th position, their captain Kevin Davies delivering his ninth goal of the season to put his team on course to complete a double over Birmingham City whose impressive first season back in the Premier league concluded with their highest league placing for 51 years.
They finished ninth, last achieved in 1959, despite losing a closely fought encounter at the Reebok Stadium where the home side doubled their lead through Ivan Klasnic.
Hull City 1 Bolton Wanderers 0: match reportHowever, a penalty to Birmingham, strangely awarded by the referee when there appeared no contact, provided the visitors with a lifeline.
The penalty by substitute Christian Benitez was initially saved by the Bolton goalkeeper, Jussi Jaaskelainen, who then kept out a follow-up attempt from Lee Bowyer before James McFadden muscled the ball over the line.
A first half marred by a spate of four Birmingham bookings saw Bolton establish an early lead, Davies heading in on 33 minutes when Paul Robinson floated in an inviting free-kick from the right.
Birmingham had opened with the greater threat, but Bowyer wasted a second-minute opportunity and then Michel was also wasteful when shooting straight at Jaaskelainen.
Bolton proved even more careless, notably Matt Taylor who shot straight at Joe Hart when he had only the Birmingham goalkeeper to beat. Taylor had a further opportunity shortly into the second half; again his finishing was poor.
However, on the hour Klasnic clinically finished after Vladimir Weiss had crossed from the left and, though Birmingham fought back, their finishing lacked composure.
Then came the penalty incident with Jaaskelainen seemingly colliding with his own defender Zat Knight, but the referee inexplicably awarded Birmingham a penalty.
Bolton, who had conceded a two goal lead in their previous home match, held on this time and finished deserved winners.
Source: Telegraph
Source: Telegraph