FIGHTING SPIRIT

Then the players got in on the act — and susprisingly sparked a display of unity.

Kevin Davies' 40th-minute header was going in until El-Hadji Diouf nipped from an offside position to get a touch — and rule it out. That earned the Senegalese striker a mouthful from skipper Kevin Nolan.

But it woke up the players — and the fans — and they produced a performance worthy of the Bolton of old to secure a lifeline in their pursuit of Birmingham.

No one epitomised this more than matchwinner Davies, who endured the pain of a dislocated finger and could have grabbed five but for a couple of last ditch goal-line clearances. While egomaniacs like Diouf have been planning their own great escape from Bolton, Davies has quietly got on with the job of bullying defenders.

The striker spent the first half cursing his luck when Jonathan Spector, Scott Parker and Diouf got in the way of headers.

But his reward came from Matt Taylor's corner two minutes after half-time when Spector collided with keeper Robert Green, allowing Davies a simple tap-in.

There is no doubt Davies makes the Trotters one-dimensional but that is better than the none-dimensional performances they have managed without him.

And his harsh booking, earning him a two-match ban, may prove as significant as his winning goal.

Megson said: "Davvo always works hard, but every now and again he puts in a performance with that kind of added quality.

Credit

"I'm pleased with him, and for him, to get the winning goal.

"I went to see the referee about his booking but I know it can't be rescinded. He said it was for persistent fouling but it was hard to take.

"Davvo will still travel with us for those games because he's such an inspirational figure. It was a terrific result and performance. If there were any recriminations I wanted them out the way before the game.

"I only saw a few banners but the players deserve credit for how they played in the circumstances."

In truth, if Bolton had not won this they would have waved goodbye to the Premier League.

West Ham are a dream fixture for a side desperate for survival points. They have been playing like a team on their holidays for the past few months.

Dean Ashton was tipped to be the new Teddy Sheringham but in a lone striker's role he is more like Teddy Kennedy.

And the Hammers also lost Anton Ferdinand to a hamstring injury after just 37 seconds.

Boss Alan Curbishley admitted: "It was vintage Bolton and we couldn't cope. They put in a tremendous team effort and I've not seen a team work so hard against us this season.

"We knew what to expect but it was a typical Bolton goal. We had a few shots and their keeper made some saves at the end but they deserved the win."

Panic

Ashton finally came to life when Carlton Cole and youngster Freddie Sears came off the bench and he rattled the Bolton bar with an acrobatic overhead effort.

At the other end, Green was flapping so much at Bolton's set-pieces he is in danger of becoming England No1.

The Bolton panic that cost valuable points against Arsenal did rear its head again late on but this time there was enough grit to survive.

Can Bolton survive? Will you Trotters fans allow boss Gary Megson to stay, even if you do avoid the drop? What mistakes has Megson made this season?

And what do you West Ham fans think of Alan Curbishley after a display like this? Is he any better than any manager you've had since Harry Redknapp? Where does he need to strengthen for next year?

GAMES TO GO — BOLTON: Sat v Middlesbrough (a), Apr 26 v Tottenham (a), May 3 v Sunderland (h), May 11 v Chelsea (a).

WEST HAM: Sat v Derby (h), Apr 26 v Newcastle (h), May 3 v Manchester United (a), May 11 v Aston Villa (h).