OLIVIER KAPO'S first-half goal consigned Bolton Wanderers to their fifth defeat in six games.

The French midfielder got in front of the Wanderers defence after 37 minutes to convert man-of-the-match Sebastian Larsson's cross.

Andy O'Brien was handed his first start in a Wanderers shirt as Sammy Lee made just one change from the side that lost to Everton last time out. The Irishman came in for Gerald Cid, who found himself on the bench.

The hosts started the game brightly and were looking to take advantage of their early initiative. In the second minute Cameron Jerome latched on to a huge defensive clearance and tried to steer it past the advancing Jussi Jaaskelainen. However, the former Cardiff City man could only guide his effort for a goal-kick.

Two minutes later the impressive Sebastian Larsson tried to curl his shot beyond Jaaskelainen after confusing the Wanderers defence with an immaculate touch. But Abdoulaye Meite managed to get his giant frame in front of the ball to block the Swede's effort.

The midfielder, who during the early stages was the most creative player on the pitch, made another magic touch to get in front of the visiting back-four only to see a timely intervention by Jlloyd Samuel prevent him from testing Jaaskelainen.

Wanderers, struggling to get a grip on the game, managed their first effort on 11 minutes when captain Kevin Nolan volleyed from just inside the box after a weak Birmingham clearance fell into his path.

Larsson was once again causing problems for Wanderers and his free-kick met the glancing header of Kapo, who forced Jaaskelainen into diving at full stretch to keep out the Frenchman.

Another set-piece from the Swede almost caught Wanderers napping as home skipper Liam Ridgewell followed the ball but was ultimately unable to get on the end of it as it fell into the grateful arms of Jaaskelainen.

Samuel almost broke the deadlock when he jinked his way in to the Blues' box after some good approach play by Wanderers. His powerful, close-range shot was beaten away by Taylor for a corner.

O'Brien, on his full debut for the visitors, should have done better when he was the first to meet a Diouf corner, but his header went over Taylor's bar.

Wanderers were finally getting more of the ball and Nolan was off target with a header from a good Diouf centre.

But just as Wanderers were getting back into the game they conceded on 37 minutes when an unchallenged Kapo got on the end of Larsson's cross.

It was a nervy start to the second-half as far as Wanderers were concerned and Jaaskelainen epitomised this when his attempted clearance went straight to Jerome. Fortunately for Lee's men, the forward screwed his shot hopelessly wide.

The Wanderers boss made his first change after 53 minutes when he brought Daniel Braaten on for Alonso. The switch allowed the visitors to play 4-4-2 with Diouf moving alongside Nicolas Anelka.

Jaaskelainen kept down the score with a superb save just after the hour when he beat away Larsson's drive after the widemen latched on the Jerome's lay-off.

Substitute Braaten almost levelled after starting a tremendous move from deep inside his own half. His surging run took him well in side the Birmingham half before a one-two with Anelka put him through on goal. A vital last-ditch block by Stephen Kelly prevented the Norwegian international from getting the equaliser.

The visitors suffered a blow on 73 minutes when Samuel was withdrawn through injury. He pulled up whilst in possession and appeared to be in agony. Ricardo Gardner replaced the full back in a like for like exchange.

O'Brien had his name taken after he was adjudged to have brought down Jerome illegally just outside the box. Larsson's resulting free-kick crashed against the crossbar and was eventually cleared.

McCann was well placed on his goal-line on 80 minutes to keep out Johann Djourou's free-header off Larsson's corner.

Wanderers rallied in the final five minutes and Nicky Hunt had Taylor slightly concerned with a twenty-five yard volley that went just over the bar.

But it was all in vain as Wanderers recorded their fifth loss of the season.