Bolton Wanderers are leading Birmingham City 1-0 at the break in Neil Lennon's first match in charge.
The Trotters came close to snatching an opening when Dorian Dervite got his head to Jay Spearing's corner with less than 10 minutes on the clock, but the defender's effort flew marginally wide.
Birmingham had early chances through David Cotterill and Demari Gray, but Bolton went in front through another Spearing corner in the 20th minute, Matt Mills meeting this one with a powerful header that made the net ripple.
The home side's best chance to equalise came in the 43rd minute when Gray unleashed a screamer from the edge of the box, which Bolton goalkeeper Andy Lonergan met with a fingertip save to maintain his side's advantage at the break.
