Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf was involved in another spitting row during the first half of tonight's Barclays Premiership clash which brought a much-needed win for his team at Birmingham.

Diouf put Bolton ahead in the 17th minute, and statements were taken by stewards from fans regarding the alleged reaction of the on-loan Liverpool player to his second goal in four games.

The matter was reported by a security official to referee Uriah Rennie, and it remains to be seen what action will be taken against the Senegal player if the claims are substantiated.

Diouf has only just returned from a three-match Football Association ban for spitting at Portsmouth defender Arjan de Zeeuw in November.

Tonight's incident overshadowed even the decision of Birmingham manager Steve Bruce to leave his transfer-seeking midfielder Robbie Savage out of his 16.

Bruce had a pre-match meeting with the Welsh international before turning to matters on the pitch and seeing Matthew Upson's second-half goal appear to rescue a point for his side.

After an equaliser by Matthew Upson, Bolton looked set for what would have been a welcome point to halt their current slide - but in the end a late winner from Kevin Nolan brought them their first victory in 11 matches.

Savage was spotted taking a seat in the back of old stand before the kick-off after having a pre-match meeting with Bruce - and he was greeted with derisory chants from home fans.

Blues made a purposeful start. Ricardo Gardner handled an Emile Heskey cross near the by-line, and then Stephen Clemence sent a glancing header wide from Darren Anderton's cross.

Damien Johnson was found in space by Stan Lazaridis' pass, but his cross-shot flew harmlessly across the face of goal.

After 10 minutes Diouf missed a golden chance to put Bolton ahead with his side's first worthwhile attack of the game.

Stelios Giannakopoulos' left-wing cross was turned back by Nolan to Diouf, who was unmarked six yards out but failed to make a clean contact.

Clinton Morrison was looking full of confidence after his recent run of goals. But after cutting inside, he put his rising right-footed effort well wide of Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal.

Another clear-cut opening quickly fell Bolton's way, with Maik Taylor making a fine low save to turn aside Nolan's left-footed effort after he had been played in by Jay-Jay Okocha.

Bolton were not to be denied, though, and after 17 minutes Diouf struck for the second time in four days.

Taylor made a fine save to keep out Okocha's volley from Nolan's cross, but Diouf was first to react to the rebound.

Birmingham were having a fair share of possession, and Jaaskelainen made a fine save to block Heskey's powerful shot after he had raced clear of the Bolton defence.

Then defender Olivier Tebily turned inside and was only inches off target with a thundering 25-yard drive.

Diouf blotted his copybook by being yellow-carded for showing dissent at a free-kick which was moved 10 yards further forward, but the Bolton defensive wall blocked Anderton's shot.

Tempers became frayed, and Heskey and Bruno N'Gotty were booked after a flare-up in the Bolton penalty area.

Blues enjoyed most of the pressure in the early stages of the second period, and Bolton were forced to hang on.

Mario Melchiot headed over from close range, after a corner from Anderton had been turned back across goal.

Then after 66 minutes, Birmingham's pressure paid off with Upson bringing them back on level terms.

An overhead effort from Heskey hit the woodwork, but Upson was first to react to the rebound and made no mistake from close range.

Bolton tried to retaliate, and an effort from Gary Speed cannoned off Kenny Cunningham for a corner. Then Nicky Hunt was only a yard off target with a long-range drive.

Then in injury-time Nolan struck from close range after Okocha's fierce drive had been parried by Taylor.

Teams:

Birmingham Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Cunningham, Upson, Tebily (Gray 64), Johnson, Anderton, Clemence (Clapham 73), Lazaridis, Heskey, Morrison (Yorke 77).

Subs Not Used: Martin Taylor, Vaesen.

Booked: Heskey, Upson.

Goals: Upson 66.

Bolton Jaaskelainen, Hunt, N'Gotty, Jaidi, Gardner, Nolan, Speed (Hierro 76), Campo, Okocha, Giannakopoulos (Pedersen 57), Diouf.

Subs Not Used: Poole, Ben Haim, Vaz Te.

Booked: Diouf, N'Gotty.

Goals: Diouf 17, Nolan 90.

Att: 27,177

Ref: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).