Bolton Wanderers Res 2, Birmingham Res 1 WANDERERS Reserves gave themselves hope of avoiding relegation with a 2-1 victory over fellow strugglers Birmingham City at Burnden Park last night.

It was the Wanderers' first win since September and Lee Potter led the way with both goals while Mixu Paatelainen came through his first competitive game of the season after injury, lasting the full 90 minutes.

Potter opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when he capitalised on a defensive blunder between keeper Steve Sutton and Jonathan Bass to put the ball into an empty net. City took the initiative early in the second half and Keith Branagan made a magnificent save to deny Kevin Francis.

The visitors equalised in the 59th minute when Steve Robinson put Nicky Forster clean through and he kept his cool.

Jason Bowen hit the post for City but they were reduced to 10 men in the 79th minute when Robinson was shown the red card for a reckless challenge on Steve McAnespie.

Three minutes later Wanderers hit the winner when Jimmy Phillips put Potter in to race forward and blast past Sutton.

Wanderers: Branagan, Spooner, Phillips, McAnespie, Coleman, Strong, Marsh, Whitehead, Paatelainen, Potter, Aljofree.

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