Bolton out of bottom three

McCann celebrates goal

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• Bolton Wanderers
• Middlesbrough

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• Gavin McCann

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Bolton claimed a crucial 1-0 win at Middlesbrough which lifts them out of the Premier League relegation zone.

The Trotters were on the back-foot in the opening half and were happy to have survived until half-time with goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi producing a string of top-class saves.

But after the break it was a different story as Bolton produced a brilliant battling display to claim the crucial win.

The only goal of the game arrived just after the hour when the excellent Gary Cahill headed down a corner for Gavin McCann - who was left with the simple task of poking the ball over the line.

Fortunate

Bolton were fortunate to get through the opening 10 minutes unscathed as Boro threw everything at their shaky back line.

Goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi was straight into the action, tipping over a David Wheater volley from a Stewart Downing corner in the second minute.

Downing then fired narrowly over himself and Oman international Al Habsi needed to be alert again when Jeremie Aliadiere raced into the box and set up Tuncay Sanli.

Bolton seemed at sixes and sevens as Andrew Taylor and Afonso Alves also shot over in Boro's breathless opening.

Bolton did break out with Cohen racing clear but Turnbull came out to clear and it took a few stoppages - one for a streaker - for the visitors to gather their composure and at last enjoy some possession.

After a half an hour they had their first shot on goal as Matt Taylor forced an exposed Ross Turnbull to save with his feet.

But Boro still looked the more penetrative and Wheater was not far off target with a header from a Downing cross.

Tamir Cohen stabbed a volley over the bar as Bolton threw the ball back into the Boro box and Matt Taylor then shot at Turnbull as the first half ended goalless.

Megson was forced to change his plans before the break when Cohen suffered a head injury and Danny Guthrie was sent on in his place.

Cahill also left the field with a head wound but was able to return for the second half, albeit with a numberless shirt.

Pressure

Bolton stepped up the pressure with Taylor forcing Turnbull to concede a corner and Grzegorz Rasiak then heading the resulting cross against the bar.

Kevin Nolan and Ivan Campo also got shots on target as Bolton searched for a crucial goal.

That seemed to jolt Boro into action and they were furious when referee Alan Wiley waved play on after a Downing cross was deflected onto McCann's arm.

The official evidently viewed the handball as accidental but it was a heart-stopping moment for the visitors.

Much to Boro's annoyance, McCann then popped up at the oher end to put Bolton into the lead just before the hour.

After a chaotic few moments in the Boro box with Luke Young heading a long-range Guthrie effort off the line, Bolton won a corner.

The ball broke loose from Cahill's header and, as Turnbull saved superbly, McCann pounced from close range.

Boro thought they should have had another penalty after an incident involving substitute Adam Johnson at the edge of the box but Bolton breathed again.

Wheater and George Boateng shot from long range as Boro tried to respond but Al Habsi was not troubled.

Bolton, showing some of the fighting spirit for which they were renowned under former manager Sam Allardyce, then successfully managed to see out the closing minutes.

Boro did not give up but a good chance went by when Alves was flagged offside in the final minute.