Battling Bolton believe in their ability to escape relegation.

Middlesbrough 0 Bolton Wanderers 1

GARY MEGSON admits his Bolton side may sometimes lack quality - but believes they have plenty other virtues to save their Premier League status.

After a run of eight games without victory, Bolton secured their second battling win in succession courtesy of a second-half Gavin McCann strike at Middles brough.

It was enough to lift them out of the relegation zone with 32 points but, with three games still to go, Megson knows they are far from safe.

"I have never once had to criticise or question integrity, honesty, workrate or the way they go about their work," Megson said.

"We can play better, pass it better, finish better - all those quality things.

"But we were in the bottom three, in a perilous position, and it is difficult. So, you need the other qualities we have certainly got.

Bolton's victory seemed far from likely during a breathless opening 10 minutes when their goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi was the busiest man at the Riverside Stadium.

The Oman international, deputising for the injured Jussi Jaaskelainen, saved brilliantly from David Wheater, Tuncay Sanli and Afonso Alves before the visitors had enjoyed any decent possession.

They eventually settled into the game and then stepped up the pressure early in the second half.

Grzegorz Rasiak and Matt Taylor both hit the woodwork and Danny Guthrie had a lob cleared off the line before Gary Cahill headed at goalkeeper Ross Turnbull and McCann volleyed in the rebound.

McCann's 60th-minute strike came just minutes after he had escaped a penalty claim against him for handball.

CAPTION(S):

Gary Cahill, Gavin McCann and Kevin Nolan celebrate