Matty Taylor struck twice in the final seven minutes to give Bolton a victory that virtually guarantees Premier League safety.
 
Wanderers were heading for their fifth successive defeat without a goal as they trailed to Dave Kitson's 13th minute opener.
 
But the arrival of on loan City midfielder Vladimir Weiss changed the contest Bolton's way.
 
The Slovakian international was tripped by Dean Whitehead and Taylor drove in his seventh goal of the campaign, helped by a delfection off the home wall.
 
And with two minutes left, Weiss crossed and Taylor turned in the ball from close range.
 
He was immediately mobbed by team mates and Bolton's backroom staff such was the significance of his winner.
 
Even then Bolton almost threw it away. From Rory Delap's long throw, former Trotter Abdoulaye Faye was left unmarked but Stoke's Senegalese star volleyed over from close range.
 
A Bolton win looked highly unlikely at half-time. Kitson, who also scored in a 1-1 draw at the Reebok last September, punished hesitant defending to give City an early advantage.
 
Giant defender Robert Huth hit the post and headed fractionally over as Wanderers rearguard struggled under Delap's aerial bombardment.
 
The second half saw Ivan Klasnic replace Sam Ricketts in a tactical re-shuffle and Bolton immediately looked more potent.
 
The Croatian twice went close before Stoke wasted an opportunity to put the match beyond reach.
 
A flowing move ended with Tuncay hitting the post from six yards with only Jussi Jaaskelainen to beat.
 
And Bolton made the most of their reprieve as Weiss turned the match around after coming on to replace Chung-yong Lee.
 
Biolton are now seven points clear of third bottom Hull with three games to play though Iain Dowie's side do have a match in hand.

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