The Tigers produced a spirited second-half fightback to earn a vital point from a 2-2 draw with fellow strugglers Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium on a wintry Tuesday evening.

In a crucial end-of-year clash between two of the Premier League's bottom three, City looked to be dead and buried at 2-0 down with 20 minutes to play.

But two goals from Stephen Hunt saw them battle back to earn a share of the spoils.

Former Bolton player and coach Phil Brown selected the same eleven that started against Manchester United two days earlier.

It meant one-time Wanderer Bernard Mendy retained his place at right-back. 

The only change to the squad came on the bench as Steven Mouyokolo replaced Tom Cairney.

Ex-Tiger Sam Ricketts missed out on a start against his former club and had to make do with a place on the bench.

The game kicked off in pouring rain with City playing in their blue away strip and defending the goal behind which more than 2,500 travelling fans offered their support.

City made a bright start with positive driving runs from Jozy Altidore and then Richard Garcia forcing Bolton onto the back foot, although there was no end product.

Bolton came back into it with shots from Chung-Yong Lee and Fabrice Muamba flying over the bar.

And it was the home side who took the lead on 20 minutes when Andy Dawson's header fell for Ivan Klasnic who drilled a low shot into the net from 20 yards.

City looked for a quick response and it almost came courtesy of a Dawson free kick but Jussi Jaaskelainen pushed the shot away.

The main difference between the two sides was that City were failing to adapt to the wet and windy conditions as passes went astray and long balls drifted out of play.

City went close ten minutes before half time when Jaaskelainen failed to collect Bernard Mendy's cross.

The ball fell for Stephen Hunt, but his diving header was deflected wide by Gary Cahill.

The Tigers ended the first half on top but the final ball always seemed to be missing.

Half Time: Tigers 0-1 Bolton

The lack of quality from both sides continued after the break with Matt Taylor's free kick just over the bar the only incident of note early on.

City made their first change nine minutes in with Nick Barmby coming on for Altidore.

Kamil Zayatte had a great chance to equalize with a free header from a Hunt corner, but he was well off target.

It proved a costly miss as Bolton doubled their lead just after the hour.

Boaz Myhill came for a free kick he had no chance of claiming and Kevin Davies headed over the stranded keeper and into an empty net.

City's second change soon followed as Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink came on for Garcia.

Dawson was booked for a foul on Lee.

Myhill produced a good save to deny Cahill after his defence had failed to clear their lines.

The Tigers pulled a goal back with just under 20 minutes remaining when Fagan's delicious cross from the right was met by the head of Hunt and he made no mistake from close range.

City suddenly came alive and the final change saw Geovanni come on for Seyi Olofinjana.

Bolton's tactics were infuriating their own supporters and they were up in arms when City equalised on 78 minutes.

A long diagonal ball from the right was flicked on by Vennegoor of Hesselink for Hunt and his effort some how beat Jaaskelainen and crossed the line before Paul Robinson could clear.

It was all City now as they went in search of a winner.

However, Bolton were inches away from regaining the lead in the final minute when Steinsson's shot deflected only inches wide.

Three minutes of time were added, during which Mendy was booked for a foul on Taylor.

That gave the home side one last chance to load the City box, but Lee's free kick was far too long and brought about the final whistle.

As the Bolton fans chanted for Gary Megson to be sacked, the travelling black and amber army saluted their side.

Tigers (4-4-2) Boaz Myhill; Bernard Mendy, Kamil Zayatte, Anthony Gardner [captain], Andy Dawson; Richard Garcia (Vennegoor of Hesselink 64), George Boateng, Seyi Olofinjana (Geovanni 76), Stephen Hunt; Craig Fagan, Jozy Altidore (Barmby 54).

Subs: Matt Duke, Steven Mouyokolo, Kevin Kilbane, Nick Barmby, Geovanni, Kamel Ghilas, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Bookings: Dawson 65, Mendy 90.

Bolton Wanderers (4-4-2) Jussi Jaaskelainen; Gretar Steinsson, Gary Cahill, Zat Knight, Paul Robinson; Chung-Yong Lee, Fabrice Muamba, Tamir Cohen, Matthew Taylor; Kevin Davies [captain], Ivan Klasnic (McCann 76).

Subs: Ali Al Habsi, Johan Elmander, Ricardo Gardner, Andy O'Brien, Sam Ricketts, Gavin McCann, Mark Davies.

Bookings: McCann 79.

Bolton manager Gary Megson was sacked the following day.

It was widely believed that the former West Bromwich Albion chief would have been appointed the Tigers' new boss had Phil Brown not secured the vacant post on a permanent basis three years ago.