Gavin McCann snatched a dramatic winner as Bolton stunned Middlesbrough to keep alive their hopes of escaping relegation from the Premier League.

McCann had been lucky not to concede a penalty for handball just moments before he stabbed home from close range with 59 minutes gone at the Riverside.

The result, which had seemed unlikely as Boro ran the visitors ragged in the opening 10 minutes, was enough to lift the Trotters out of the bottom three with Birmingham playing on Sunday.

It was only their second win in 10 outings and, coming on the back of last week's success over West Ham, put the pressure on Reading and Birmingham in the battle to beat the drop.

The Trotters had known victory would lift them out of the bottom three but they went into the game without one of their key figures in combative striker Kevin Davies, who was suspended.

Grzegorz Rasiak, on loan from Southampton, was brought in by manager Gary Megson in his place and Israel midfielder Tamir Cohen was surprisingly chosen ahead of the benched El-Hadji Diouf.

Middlesbrough were forced to bring in goalkeeper Ross Turnbull after Mark Schwarzer sustained a back injury in training.

But it was up front where manager Gareth Southgate made a statement of intent, starting with Jeremie Aliadiere, Afonso Alves and Tuncay Sanli.

It was an attacking line-up designed to allay fears Boro had little to play for, and it was clear from the outset the hosts wanted to entertain.

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 Aliadiere raced into the box and set up Tuncay.

Bolton seemed at sixes and sevens as Andrew Taylor and 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 30 minutes they had their first shot on goal as Matt Taylor forced an exposed Turnbull to save with his feet.

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

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.

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

Bolton stepped up the pressure with Matt Taylor forcing Turnbull to concede a corner and 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 failed to gather, 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.

Teams:

Middlesbrough Turnbull, Young, Wheater, Pogatetz,Taylor (Rochemback 74), Aliadiere, Boateng, Arca, Downing,Alves, Sanli (Johnson 64).

Subs Not Used: Steele, Shawky, Grounds.

Bolton Al Habsi, Steinsson, Andrew O'Brien, Cahill, Samuel,Nolan, Cohen (Guthrie 45), Campo, McCann, Taylor,Rasiak (Diouf 56).

Subs Not Used: Walker, Giannakopoulos, Fojut.

Booked: Steinsson, Campo.

Goals: McCann 61.

Att: 25,037

Ref: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).