Jamaican international Ricardo Gardner brought a little bit of sunshine to Bolton.

He grabbed the winner as the club secured their first Premiership victory in 13 games, stretching back to last November.

It was only Gardner's second goal of the season, the first coming last week in the defeat by Newcastle.

He made the breakthrough after 38 minutes and gives Bolton a glimmer of hope in their battle to beat the drop.

Today's victory coincided with the debut of Danish international Stig Tofting following his move from Hamburg.

The 32-year-old midfielder bedded in well and his experience could be vital in the weeks ahead.

Tofting was pulled up by the referee after just three minutes for a challenge on Joe Cole. Vladimir Labant drove in a free kick across the face of the area, only to see it scrambled away.

Then Jermain Defoe tried to pick out Richard Garcia but the wind took hold of the cross and the chance was lost.

Hammers defender Hayden Fox picked up the first yellow card of the game after nine minutes for a stiff challenge on Fredi Bobic that left the German striker needing treatment.

Bolton were looking shaky at the back and keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen did well to parry a shot from Defoe after he was released by Cole.

Bolton striker Michael Ricketts scampered away from Foxe but only succeeded in finding the side netting from an acute angle.

Tofting then tried his luck from 30 yards after being released by Bobic but his effort was deflected to safety.

Bolton should have taken the lead after 22 minutes when Tofting sprung the Hammers offside trap.

Ricketts found himself with only keeper James to beat but delivered his shot straight into his arms.

Ricketts looked short on confidence despite scoring 15 goals this season and the home crowd, who haven't seen their team win at the Reebok Stadium since August, howled in disbelief.

Tofting was seeing plenty of the ball for Bolton and his link up play was good.

Bolton skipper Gudni Bergsson got away from his marker in the 35th minute but his header from Gardner's corner didn't trouble James.

Bolton took the lead seven minutes before the break through Gardner - a goal sparked by Tofting's long throw.

Bobic got on the end of it and headed into the path of Mike Whitlow, who played the ball back to Gardner. The Jamaican international, who scored in the defeat by Newcastle last week, drilled a 20-yard shot low past James.

Bolton got themselves in a mess two minutes after half time when Whitlow and then Jaaskelainen hesitated in getting the ball clear.

Frederic Kanoute picked up the loose ball but couldn't find Cole and the home side breathed a sigh of relief.

Cole then skipped away from Charlton and laid the ball into the path of Kanoute. It was a good strike by the Frenchman but it drifted narrowly wide of the target.

Bolton were finding it difficult getting out of their own half in the opening stages of the second period as the Hammers went in search of the equaliser.

Bolton striker Ricketts picked out Bobic but his touch was poor and James was able to clear without too much difficulty.

Bobic, drafted in on loan from Borussia Dortmund until the end of the season, again got away from his marker two minutes later. But again his finish from Gardner's good cross was poor and the fans let him know.

Bolton had a scare in the 62nd minute when Garcia got on the end of Labant's inswinging corner but his header was narrowly off target.

Bolton were anxious to add a second goal to ease their nerves but the Hammers were giving a gritty performance.

Bolton almost paid for a moment of defensive slackness when Christian Dailly raced into the area to get on the end of Labant's corner, only for his header to go wide.

But they held on for their first win at home since way back in August when they were briefly top of the league.

Teams:

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, N'Gotty, Bergsson, Whitlow, Charlton, Tofting, Warhurst (Southall 45), Nolan, Gardner, Ricketts (Holdsworth 83), Bobic (Hansen 86).

Subs Not Used: Poole, Wallace.

Booked: Warhurst.

Goals: Gardner 38.

West Ham: James, Schemmel, Dailly, Foxe, Minto, Cole, Lomas, Labant, Kanoute, Defoe, Garcia (Kitson 77).

Subs Not Used: Andersson, Potts, Courtois, McCann.

Booked: Foxe, Kanoute, Lomas.

Att: 24,342

Ref: D Pugh (Bebington).