Jiri Jarosik produced a moment of class against Bolton at St Andrews to breathe life into Birmingham's fight for survival.

The on-loan 28-year-old was ineligible at the weekend against his parent club Chelsea but he returned to the starting XI in devastating style.

The draw against the Barclays Premiership champions, along with three points against Bolton, lifted Steve Bruce's side out of the relegation zone for the first time in six months, while denting the visitors' hopes of Champions League qualification.

Jarosik's goal was worthy of settling the scrappy encounter. Receiving the ball from Damien Johnson, he tricked his way past Jay-Jay Okocha with a shimmy then unleashed a left-foot drive from 25 yards which comfortably beat goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and found the corner.

It was Birmingham's first strike in four games and by the end they looked a different side to the one hammered by Liverpool on the same ground last month, with hopes that winning this rearranged fixture will give them momentum in the run-in.

Fog had caused referee Chris Foy to abandon the fixture when it was originally scheduled in November, giving both clubs a chance to make ground in their respective battles.

It was clear, however, that both sides were struggling to create chances and the early exchanges were ugly and unco-ordinated.

Bolton created a half chance after nine minutes when Kevin Davies headed over an El-Hadji Diouf cross from the left in a rare attack of note - but little else was forged early on.

The visitors pressed with their typical direct attacking approach, and they almost found reward midway through the opening half. Davies headed a long ball to Diouf on the left and his cross found Stelios Giannakopoulos behind the Blues defence, but the midfielder headed wide.

Nicky Butt responded with a volley from long range which limped wide - drawing ironic cheers from the frustrated Blues fans - but it was his last contribution to the game as he appeared to pick up a hamstring injury when trying to control a high ball.

Blues boss Bruce has had to change line-up due to injuries all season, and he now had to take off the player he earmarked to have an important role in keeping the club safe.

Stephen Clemence had already been taken off for Stan Lazaridis early on, and Birmingham's shape now had a new look as they searched for an opener.

The enforced changes, however, appeared to galvanise the hosts and Forssell drilled a shot over from the edge of the area soon after coming on.

Jarosik then created his moment of magic to break the deadlock after 36 minutes, his inspiration leaving Jaaskelainen with no chance.

He almost doubled the lead five minutes from the break, taking advantage of an Emile Heskey dummy to bundle his way into the area only to shoot wide.

Nolan, who was often limited to long-range efforts, then tested Maik Taylor in the dying moments of the first half to give the hosts a warning of the pressure they would have to withstand in the second half.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce responded by taking off Joey O'Brien for Nicky Hunt at the break, and it almost had the desired effect.

Hunt caused problems with his attacking on the right and the visitors had a penalty claim turned down when one of his crosses was partially cleared and Kevin Nolan fired straight at Mat Sadler.

With Kenny Cunningham shouting the orders, Birmingham withstood persistent Bolton pressure, with Allardyce's five-man midfield seeing plenty of the ball.

Johnson, however, forced Jaaskelainen to tip over when his cross from the right almost dipped in.

Hunt then tripped Heskey in a promising position after 57 minutes, but Jermaine Pennant wasted the free-kick.

Jared Borgetti was brought off the bench for Diouf, with the Mexico striker supporting Davies in attack.

Giannakopoulos stabbed wide from close range, while Pennant also had an effort off target late on.

Pennant was booked for a foul on Giannakopoulos with 16 minutes remaining as the hosts clung on to their lead, almost doubling it through a Forssell long-range effort.

Teams:

Birmingham Maik Taylor, Tebily, Cunningham, Martin Taylor,Sadler, Pennant, Johnson, Butt (Forssell 30),Clemence (Lazaridis 8), Jarosik, Heskey, Lazaridis (Dunn 86).

Subs Not Used: Vaesen, Campbell.

Booked: Pennant.

Goals: Jarosik 37.

Bolton Jaaskelainen, O'Brien (Hunt 45), Ben Haim, N'Gotty,Pedersen, Giannakopoulos, Nolan (Vaz Te 86), Faye, Okocha,Diouf (Borgetti 68), Davies.

Subs Not Used: Walker, Nakata.

Att: 26,493

Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).