ONE EL OF A FINISH!

Daryl Murphy's 82nd-minute own goal eased any lingering anxieties for the hosts.

Only a freakish series of results next weekend can send Bolton down as Megson celebrates an improbable turnaround after their cause looked hopeless a month ago.

Despite finding themselves in a position of safety before kick-off, the prospect of securing survival at Stamford Bridge meant no one was under any illusion that this was win or bust for the Trotters.

Much to boss Megson's relief, winger Diouf handed his side a valuable lead — and the most unlikely success since Tory central office nominated Boris for London Mayor was on the cards.

Diouf struck with a sweet right-footer to ease the mounting tension after Bolton had struggled in the first half against a limp Sunderland.

The African arrived in English football six years ago with the nickname ‘The Serial Killer'.

Having lost ‘Big Sam' and ditched ‘Little Sam', perhaps Bolton's survival quest will eventually owe something to the ‘Son of Sam'.

Buoyed by the return of talisman Kevin Davies, Bolton had their fate back in their hands.

And with Sunderland having nothing but that most unattractive motivation to the modern footballer — pride — to play for, anything but three points would have represented self-destruction.

Davies showed his intent with a crunching tackle on Danny Collins in the sixth minute as Bolton tried to enforce their substance-over-style approach.

The striker should have given his side the lead 28 minutes into a scrappy first half when he headed Diouf's perfect cross inches over.

Despite their efforts, this was a rare break in a dour match.

Howls

As opportunities dried up, the anxiety was all too apparent as a celebratory atmosphere before kick-off turned into an hysterical one, with every misplaced pass and cross met with howls of frustration.

At their best Bolton are effective but even during the Allardyce era they were about as attractive as a skunk with chronic acne.

Think Wimbledon during the mid-80s, only without the guile.

That said, they do possess players with skill, none more so Diouf, who was a constant threat.

And the lively Liverpool reserve Danny Guthrie, who is still hoping to make his loan permanent, also demonstrated a willingness to do more than lump it towards Davies.

If the young central midfielder could find a Spanish passport and change his name to Guthrez, he may still have a future at Anfield.

Diouf struck just as the crowd's tension threatened to boil over, neatly controlling Kevin Nolan's cross to stroke the ball past Craig Gordon into the top right corner.

Despite the insistence his players wouldn't get out their holiday brochures this week, even a menacing team talk from Roy Keane failed to lift Sunderland.

Kenwyne Jones and Michael Chopra tested keeper Ali Al-Habsi but, until a late a second-half improvement, there was little of the desire which has kept the Black Cats in this division.

In Andy Reid, the Wearsiders also possess a player who looks more built to be facing Phil rather than Matt Taylor.

Taylor almost set up a second for Diouf in the 54th minute but his header bounced off the post and Collins to safety.

Yet Bolton were not to be denied and Murphy inadvertently glanced a header into his own net eight minutes from time.