Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Birmingham City

Image source, Empics

Image caption, Paul Robinson's winner lifted Birmingham above Reading into second

Birmingham City moved into the Championship's automatic promotion spots as Paul Robinson's header kept his former club Bolton at the bottom.

Robinson had not scored a league goal for eight years before last weekend - but now has two in two games after converting Demarai Gray's free-kick.

He helped Blues clinch three points by clearing Gary Madine's close-range shot off the line after the break.

Bolton's first home defeat this season leaves them two points from safety.

Birmingham are four points behind leaders Brighton, who fought back to clinch a late 2-1 home win against Bristol City.

Robinson, 36, scored his first league goal since playing for West Brom in 2007 in Saturday's win at QPR and netted again as Gray's inswinging set-piece from the left flank evaded the home defence.

Wanderers dropped to the foot of the table following a 2-0 loss at Burnley on Saturday and manager Neil Lennon's response was to start ex-England striker Emile Heskey alongside Madine for the first time.

Heskey has only scored once for Bolton - on his debut on Boxing Day last year - but came close to doubling his tally when he almost connected with Jose Manuel Casado's free-kick.

Only some desperate Blues defending prevented Bolton equalising shortly after the restart, Robinson brilliantly hacking away Madine's effort, before skipper Michael Morrison blocked Darren Pratley's follow-up shot.

And Wanderers had few other opportunities as they were unable to score for a seventh time in 12 matches.

Bolton manager Neil Lennon:

"I think it's apparent there is a lack of quality at times; we're relying on players to improve and make the most of the opportunities that come their way.

"We'll have to bring someone in, we need to do something very quickly to make us better.

"I think there's goals in us. We're missing easy chances, there's nothing I can do about that. Again, it's composure. There's a lack of composure throughout the game at important moments. That's what makes the difference in games."

Birmingham manager Gary Rowett:

"We've started well but we've got to keep working and stay very, very humble.

"In this league, if you take your foot of the gas for a second it doesn't matter who you are or how hard you work, you'll come unstuck.

"I'm pleased at the moment, it's a good start and we're enjoying our football at the moment."