Ian Marshall and Nicky Summerbee grabbed the goals that kept Bolton's automatic promotion hopes alive against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Third-placed Bolton were gifted both goals, Marshall firing them ahead in the 12th minute and Summerbee striking midway through the second half.

At the final whistle Palace fans turned on manager Alan Smith, chanting "Smith out, Smith out" after the under-fire Eagles boss had watched his side slump to their eighth defeat in 12 games.

A busy first-half saw chances at both ends. In the third minute keeper Alex Kolinko scuffed a clearance straight to Dean Holdsworth who missed a great chance from 15 yards out.

Nine minutes later dreadful communication between Kolinko and Craig Harrison provided Bolton with the opening goal.

The Latvian keeper threw the ball out to Harrison but the Palace defender was caught dreaming. Paul Warhurst intercepted and crossed to the far post where Marshall headed past a stranded Kolinko.

Dougie Freedman hit the bar from 20 yards and Clinton Morrison's shot was cleared off the line by Colin Hendry before Summerbee struck a half-volley at the other end against the post.

Ricardo Gardner missed an open-goal as he glanced his header wide from Summerbee's cross.

After the break the Eagles had the visitors under some pressure but the Trotters proved what a good defensive side they are.

Hendry and Gudni Bergsson gave nothing away and Bolton were content to hit Palace on the break.

Holdsworth missed a great chance as Palace had to defend a three-on-one situation and Gardner forced a good save from Kolinko.

On 68 minutes Bolton rubbed more salt into Palace's wounds. Gareth Farrelly overhit a cross from the left but Summerbee returned the ball into the goal-mouth and calamity-keeper Kolinko palmed the ball into his own goal.

Summerbee claimed the goal but it was a truly soft goal to give away and it drained away any confidence Palace still had.

Disgruntled Eagles fans chanted: "There's only one Stevie Coppell," and "We want Coppell back".

Teams:

Crystal Palace Kolinko, Smith (Black 52), Austin, Zhiyi, Harrison, Riihilahti, Hopkin, Rubins (Forssell 70), Mullins, Morrison, Freedman.

Subs Not Used: Rodger, Berhalter, Fuller.

Booked: Harrison.

Bolton Clarke, Bergsson, Warhurst, Hendry, Barness, Summerbee, Farrelly, Gardner, Charlton, Marshall (Frandsen 85), Holdsworth (Ricketts 73).

Subs Not Used: Banks, Richardson, Campbell.

Goals: Marshall 12, Summerbee 68.

Att: 16,268

Ref: R Beeby (Northampton).