Super Kevin Davies' 100th goal for the Wanderers proved a vital one as Bolton edged this tense encounter at the Reebok.  And with Birmingham drawing and Reading losing, it puts the Whites within reach of safety.

Bolton fully deserved the victory despite hanging on for long periods at the end as it proved to be a nerve-jangling finale to this game. Kevin Davies put in possibly his best performance in a Wanderers shirt, but will miss the next two games following a dubious yellow card in the 2nd half.

Bolton looked to take the initiative from the first whistle, with Diouf putting early pressure on. Anton Ferdinand limped off with only 3 minutes on the clock with what looked like a hamstring injury.

After only six minutes, Scott Parker was forced to clear off the line after Samuel's high cross was nodded goalwards by Davies. Samuel also had a good chance to put the Wanderers in front after some good interplay wth Taylor.  The Bolton left back's shot however wasn't powerful enough to trouble Green.

West Ham didn't really threaten with Dean Ashton providing the only half-chance; shooting at goal following a powerful run, but the shot couldn't match the run.

Five minutes before the break, Bolton had the ball in the net.  Ivan Campo's flighted free-kick was flicked on by Kevin Davies. Diouf applied the finishing touch but the referee's assistant ruled offside. Although it was close, replays suggested that the Bolton striker wasonside when the ball was played on.

A minute after the break, Bolton were deservedly in front. 20 seconds after the 2nd half play commenced, Davies forced Green to tip the ball behind for a corner. Diouf's inswinging cross caused mayhem in the Hammers box and Davies was quickest to react and fired the ball home.

Davies was committed to the cause throughout and even played on through what looked like a nasty finger dislocation just after his goal. Meanwhile Curbishley tried to change West Ham's fortunes by sending on Carlton Cole for Jack Collison.

West Ham had their best chance ten minutes into the half when Al Habsi made a great save following Dean Ashton's overhead kick.

Davies was in on the act again when he headed Diouf's corner just over. Shortly afterwards, Bolton had another goal disallowed. West Ham failed to clear the ball and Diouf's shot on the turn could only be parried by Green and returning skipper Kevin Nolan put the ball home but was in an offside position.

Davies received his 10th yellow card with 20 minutes to go. Referee Walton ruled that Davies fouled Pantsil, but the Bolton bench were furious with this decision because the Bolton striker didn't catch the Hammers substitute. Davies will be a huge loss to the Whites, particularly after a performance like this.

Bolton sat deep for the remaining minutes and soaked up pressure from the Hammers but hung on, much to the delight of the 22,000 Wanderers fans to give renewed optimism in the fight to maintain Premier League status.

WANDERERS: Al Habsi, Samuel, Nolan (c), Campo, Davies, Steinsson, McCann, Diouf, A O'Brien, Taylor, Cahill

Subs Not Used: Walker, Stelios, Andranik, Cohen, Rasiak

West Ham: Green, McCartney, Ferdinand (Pantsil), Upson (c), Parker, Ashton, Mullins, Spector, Zamora (Sears), Boa Morte, Collison (Cole)

Subs Not Used: Walker, Tomkins