JUT THE JOB FOR BLUES..

STRIKER Lukas Jutkiewicz gave Birmingham the edge with a cracking strike – but Blues had to survive controversy in this relegation showdown.

Bolton were furious when what seemed to be a surefire penalty appeal was rejected by referee Oliver Langford as Wes Harding seemed to handle in the penalty area on the hour.

And Garry Monk’s men were reduced to 10 men after 66 minutes when Che Adams fouled Bolton sub Craig Noone.

After a nervy opening Jutkiewicz (above) had eased the tension with a classic strike, his fifth goal of the season.

He hammered home a perfect free-kick sent into the box by former Sheffield Wednesday man Jacques Maghoma to delight Birmingham’s 5,000-strong army of fans five minutes from the break.

It eased the pressure on Blues and gave Monk his third straight win in five games since taking over the troubled Midlands giants.

Bolton’s rugged defence was well marshalled by Mark Beevers, but they huffed and puffed as Blues went three points ahead of them in the battle to stay up.