STEVE Bruce is convinced the Premiership relegation battle will continue to the last day of the season - and with a few more shocks still to come.

On a day when West Brom completed an unlikely victory at Manchester City and Sunderland conceded three own goals to Charlton, the Birmingham boss was hoping his side would open up a seven point gap over the relegation candidates with a win at the Reebok.

Instead, a Blue day of misfortune left him slightly bewildered and his side hovering only two points above Wanderers.

"It was important we took something out of the game. It was in our own hands and we could have made it easy for ourselves had we gone away unbeaten but unfortunately this result just concertinas everything up.

"At half-time I thought we were the better side, after that we had the better chances and when we got back to 2-2 I always thought we were going to get something out of the game.

"I was comfortable and thought there was no way we were going to get beat but you can't afford to give goals away, certainly not at this level."

Bruce's disappointment hinged on two own goals - he claimed Wanderers' second went in off defender Stephen Clements and not Henrik Pedersen - and other defensive lapses.

He refused to blame individual players but when asked about the performance of his goalkeeper Ian Bennett said: "He knows it wasn't one of his better days to say the least.

"Simply we shot ourselves in the foot. The goals we conceded were X-certificate stuff and in a big game like this it shouldn't happen."

Bruce acknowldedged that some of that could be put down to the number of defenders coming back from injuries and playing their first games in weeks.

Kenny Cunningham, who gave away the first own goal on 12 minutes, was making his first appearance in six weeks.

"He trained on Friday but it was only light stuff and really he did well just to be out there for us," said Bruce.

"Matthew Upson has only just joined us and needs games. It was his first senior outing in six or seven games and a few others were having their first games for a time.

"Even so there's still a long way to go. I think there is still 40 per cent of the season left so there's a lot to play for just yet.

"And there are going to be many twists and turns to come before it ends."