The only goal of the game from Olivier Kapo in the first half ensured that Bolton remain anchored in the bottom three with no points from three matches away from the Reebok Stadium.

Bolton fans chanted: "You don't know what you're doing" when Lee brought on Gerald Cid for another defender Andy O'Brien during the second half rather than add Kevin Davies to their attack.

In fairness O'Brien was suffering from a hamstring problem and a determined Lee has vowed to help the Trotters revive their fortunes even though he took no positives from the set-back at St Andrews.

Lee said: "I'm a winner. I've come from a winning culture. I'm certainly no quitter.

"Today was the most disappointing of all the games we have played. In the other matches I could glean something positive. I'm still looking for something positive from this game.

"The result and the performance were not what we wanted. We didn't really compete and that is the most disappointing aspect of the game. We haven't turned up today.

"I can't put my finger on it. We have had good preparation for two weeks. I've never looked for excuses in my career. The performance was bitterly disappointing.

"But at times like this we need to stick together, work hard together and get ourselves out of this predicament.

"I know our start has been less than perfect. Last season we got 70% of our points up to and including Christmas. I'm fully aware of the position we are in.

"But we will keep working hard. It's important we all stick together on and off the pitch."

Birmingham manager Steve Bruce was satisfied at obtaining a positive response from his side after the debacle at Middlesbrough a fortnight ago.

City have now collected seven points from sides around them in the bottom section of the table after defeating Derby and Bolton and only being denied a win against Sunderland by a last-gasp goal.

Bruce said: "We deserved the win. We were the better side from the start. We could have made it a bit easier for ourselves if we had taken one or two other chances but the response was fantastic.

"We had a poor performance at Middlesbrough and things were said about that but we got what we wanted today - a performance. Six or seven of the lads are only aged 21-22 and they will make mistakes.

"Many of them haven't played at this level but their efforts and endeavour was excellent.

"We're under no illusions about the task we face. We have to try and target games like Derby, Sunderland and Bolton and anything else after that is a bonus."

Bruce believes that the atmosphere generated at St Andrews was a return to the hostile environment which greeted opposing teams during City's initial spell in the Premier League.

A near full-house of 28,000 responded to cut-price admission prices to help City obtain their first home win of the season.

Bruce said: "It has been difficult for a couple of years with getting relegated and then trying to get back into this league.

"We wanted to get St Andrews back to what it was like three or four years ago when the atmosphere was terrific.

"Fair play to the owners. They have reduced the prices, we have seen the response and when we were up against it in the final stages the crowd played their part."