BOLTON, England, Sept 25 (AFP) - Muzzy Izzet struck a second half equaliser to give Birmingham boss Steve Bruce, who was beaten up by two thugs in the early hours of Saturday morning, something to smile about in a 1-1 draw at Bolton.
Bruce suffered cuts and bruises around his face when he tackled two men who were attempting to break into his daughter's car outside his Midlands home.
Although he was not seriously injured, his mood would not have improved as he watched Bolton dominate the first half at the Reebok Stadium and deservedly take the lead when Tunisian defender Radhi Jaidi hooked home a clever half-volley in the 16th minute for his second goal in successive league games.
Bolton, playing three strikers in the shape of Henrik Pederson, El Hadji Diouf and Kevin Davies, had a host of chances and were punished for their lack of composure in front of goal when Birmingham levelled just three minutes into the second half.
A long clearance was picked up by Jesper Gronkjaer whose swift turn set up Izzet to rifle in his first goal since his summer move from Leicester City.
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce said he disappointed that a 55th minute Pedersen 'goal' had been ruled out for offside.
"Pedersen was level with the last defender and I am hugely disappointed with that decision," said Allardyce.
"It was a game-breaking decision."
Bruce, still sporting the cuts he suffered in the attack, said he was happy with a share of the spoils.
"I'm pleased with the point and we could have nicked it. We were far, far better in the second half when I was looking for a response," he said.
"Bolton battered us in the first half and we had more shots in the first 30 seconds of the second half than we did in the whole of the first."
The result moved Bolton into fourth place in the table while Birmingham remain sixth-from-bottom.