Bolton stunned by Vukcevic's equaliser for Sporting

Gavin McCann, their wounded hero in the victory over Red Star in Belgrade three months ago, struck again in the first half to put Bolton ahead against the fancied Champions League drop-outs.

Had Iceland striker Heidar Helguson's 52nd-minute header gone in instead of coming back off the underside of Rui Patricio's bar, Megson's men might have been toasting another famous victory.

Instead, the Portuguese took heart from their let-off and Montenegro striker Simon Vukcevic snapped up the half-volleyed equaliser in the 70th minute that suddenly gives Bolton new heights to conquer.

Had they gone to Lisbon for next week's return leg with a lead to defend — as they did magnificently in the previous round against Spanish high-flyers Atletico Madrid — their quarter-final hopes would have flourished.

As it is, the admirable rearguard action that snuffed out Diego Forlan and Co in Madrid a fortnight ago will not be enough to squeeze Bolton into the last eight unless they can also snatch a precious goal.

It is not that they cannot score away from home, for their 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena was one of the most impressive group results of Bolton's or anybody else's campaign.

It is merely that, with every succeeding effort and beating of the odds stacked against this resilient team of relegation fighters, the chances of them conjuring a fresh result to raise eyebrows inevitably recede.

Bolton's up-and-at-'em style, what Megson calls putting in a good hard shift, has served them well on the UEFA Cup trail, so well that they have progressed to the last 16 at only their second attempt.

But it is not a style that goes down well with the Portuguese, who were given several opportunities to demonstrate that their penchant for melodramatic death-throes has not been diminished this season.

Sporting's obvious dislike of the kind of physical approach that is raw meat and drink to the likes of Kevin Davies might still be their undoing, although McCann's second-half booking rules him out next week.

Yet the problems they encountered from problem pair Davies and Helguson, making his mark on his European debut for Bolton, will give Megson hope that Wanderers can pull it off once more.

Megson said: "We've been to difficult places this season and got results, but we know we need to score in Lisbon. We can do that as well. We scored twice in Munich, and we won in Belgrade.

"We need to score against a good side, but we are capable of causing them some problems."

Sporting coach Paulo Bento admitted: "We didn't start well. We were a bit anxious and we didn't keep possession as well in the first half as we did in the second. When we scored, things got better.

"You have to respect the opposition and Bolton play typical British football. They are a physical team and it caused us problems, so this score is a good result and gives a good perspective for the second leg. We defended well and were quite aggressive. But we cannot play for 0-0, we have to play our style."

A goalless draw next Thursday would be enough to edge Sporting closer to a repeat of their 2005 final appearance at their home ground, when they beat both Middlesbrough and Newcastle on the way before losing to CSKA Moscow.

Yet they did not suggest to a 25,664 Reebok crowd — Bolton's second highest of the season after the 26,000 that cheered the win over Atletico — that Sporting will be too formidable opponents.

True, Leandro Romagnoli, introduced at half-time by Bento, produced the individual cameo of the match by drifting a shot over Ali Al Habsi, a late deputy for injured Jussi Jaaskelainen, and off the top of the bar.

Of course Vukcevic did penetrate Bolton's defence, superbly marshalled by Gary Cahill and skipper Andy O'Brien, to make the Portuguese clear favourites to be in next Friday's draw in Nyon.

But Megson said: "Most of the games we've played have been as underdogs, not just in Europe but in the Premier League. They didn't cause Al Habsi many problems, he had no chance with the goal.

"I already know the team who will play in Lisbon. It will be picked with an eye on the Wigan game on the Sunday. But whoever comes in will not let us down. Nobody has, whether regarded as first choice or not."

Megson, ever loath to complain about referees, was convinced Patricio used both hands on the ball outside his area in the early challenge that left Helguson in a heap and, crucially, Sporting's goal intact.

Some referees might have shown a red card for denying a clear scoring opportunity. Megson said: "We've seen it replayed. He got both hands on it to keep it from going over his head."

BOLTON WANDERERS (4-1-4-1): Al Habsi 6; Hunt 6, Cahill 7, A O'Brien 7, Gardner 7; Campo 6 (Teymourian 84min); Davies 7, J O'Brien 6 (Guthrie 67, 6), McCann 8, Taylor 7; Helguson 6 (Stelios 55, 6). Booked: J O'Brien, McCann.

SPORTING LISBON (4-1-3-2): Patricio 5; Ferreira 5 (Romagnoli 46, 6), Tonel 6, Polga 6, Grimi 5; Veloso 6; Pereirinha 6, Moutinho 6, Izmailov 6 (Gladstone 84); Vukcevic 5, Tiui 5 (Silva 79). Booked: Grimi.

Man of the match: Gavin McCann.

Referee: Alon Yefet (Israel).