RICARDO VAZ TE'S sixth goal of the season ensured that Wanderers finished the campaign on a winning note, but the victory wasn't enough to see them qualify for the InterToto Cup as Newcastle United beat champions Chelsea to finish in seventh spot.

The Portuguese starlet came off the bench to net the only goal of the game in the second-half to give Wanderers a glimmer of hope, but Newcastle held on to Titus Bramble's winner to seal their place in Europe for next season.

Wanderers started the game brightly, and Kevin Davies was unlucky to steer his header wide from a great cross by Stelios.

Although Birmingham were backed by a large and passionate crowd, their play lacked confidence and at times looked every inch a side that had been relegated.

They seemed happy to cede possession to Wanderers and sit back, but were always looking to break given the opportunity.

DJ Campbell broke into the Wanderers defence during one such instance on the half-hour mark but struck his long range effort wide of Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal.

Jermaine Pennant charged down the right and cut the ball back for Mario Melchiot. The Dutch defender, however, saw his shot deflect into the arms of Jaaskelainen, who finished the campaign as an ever-present in the league.

With four minutes reamingin until the interval, Stelios delivered a well-taken corner which found the head of Campo. A timely intervention from Melchiot prevented the Spaniard from breaking the deadlock.

The visitors should have taken the lead just after the restart when Campbell charged through after being released by the impressive Pennant. The striker was thwarted superbly by Jaaskelainen who kept to his feet and blocked the effort. The danger wasn;t over though, and the rebound fell to Campbell. He overhit his cross which missed the rushing Heskey at the far post.

Jay Jay Okocha and Ricardo Vaz Te came on to standing ovations as Allardyce made positive changes.

Makeshift left-back Henrik Pedersen wasted Wanderers' best effort just after the hour mark. Davies found the Dane, whose volley was blocked by Taylor from close-range.

But the host's made the breakthrough on 65 minutes when Vaz Te benefited from Kevin Nolan's stunning cross to volley past Taylor from close-range.

Jaaskelainen made another glorious save after Campbell galloped into the box.

And with time running out, Taylor kept out efforts from Vaz Te and fellow substitute Jared Borgetti.