Trotters have last say but Brum on a high

DEFEAT on the final day of the season had no impact on the finishing position of Birmingham and their manager Alex Mcleish, as goals from Kevin Davies and Ivan Klasnic did nothing to deny his club their best league finish in 51 years.

City, against all the odds, have finished ninth for the first time since 1959 even if the manner of the loss at the Reebok Stadium underlined the weakness they possess in front of goal and the fact that McLeish knows that signing a forward presence – like Davies – is a priority this summer.

“We’re pinching ourselves at the finish,” said McLeish. “It’s pretty remarkable. To be one of the lowest spenders in the league, to come from the Championship and finish ninth is an amazing achievement.

“We know it’s over and that’s the thing about football, you have to prove yourselves again next season. That’s the challenge now.”

In such a context, a couple of bad lapses in concentration on the final day mattered little. Davies slipped his marker to meet Paul Robinson’s left-wing free-kick with a header, seven yards out, which gave England hopeful Joe Hart no chance in the Birmingham goal after 33 minutes.

Then, just before the hour, the home team’s lead was doubled as the latest in a series of clever passes from Jack Wilshere played in Vladimir Weiss who, with the aid of some terrible defending, squared for Klasnic who steered the ball in.

The visitors deservedly fought their way back into contention through lively substitute Christian Benitez who was generously awarded a 75th minute penalty after the most minor of entanglements with Zat Knight. Benitez’s kick having been well saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen, who then blocked Lee Bowyer’s follow-up attempt, James McFadden eventually scrambled home the ball at the far post.

After going a goal behind to Davies’ effort, McFadden bore down on goal from Seb Larsson’s headed pass and saw an initial shot blocked by Jaaskelainen, the ball ricocheting against the Birmingham man who steered it back into the net with his arm, earning a booking.

Then, after the restart, Roger Johnson’s shot on the turn was saved by Jaaskelainen and Ridgewell’s header flashed wide only for Birmingham to concede a second.

The introduction of Benitez added mobility and urgency to the attack and the Ecuador international glanced wide moments before winning the penalty, which brought down the curtain on a season for Birmingham to remember.

For Bolton, who also performed well in climbing out of the relegation zone after the December arrival of Owen Coyle, there are also team-building issues to address this summer, such as the fates of on-loan trio Klasnic, Weiss and Wilshere, with Coyle set for talks with Nantes, Manchester City and Arsenal, respectively, over their futures.

“I would love to have the two young lads here again next season though that is out of my hands,” he said. “Ivan has been with us on a season-long loan and it is not as black and white with him because there is a lot of finance involved. You can never have enough goalscorers at your club and I would love to have him here.’’

MATCH RATING: * * * – Despite there being nothing to play for this was an exciting game that kept both sets of fans on the edge of their seats.

REFEREE: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire) 6 – Was a great spot to see Zat Knight’s handball for the penalty but he did make some odd decisions.