Megson fights his corner but the Bolton fans let rip

The new Bolton manager was surrounded the minute he arrived at the ground by a group of supporters who made their feelings known that he was not a unanimous choice to replace Sammy Lee.

Yet, far from dodging the issue, Megson stood and talked through the appointment with the dozen or so fans in front of the main entrance as the former Leicester boss pleaded for the chance to turn around the club's fortunes.

However, inside the stadium there was a distinct lack of goodwill for Gartside who was subjected to all manner of chants from a disgruntled section of the crowd.

Cries of 'Sack the board' and 'You don't know what you are doing' were two of the more printable.

Bolton shied away from making a public fanfare of Megson's appointment, perhaps sensing it could turn into a huge public relations own goal.

Gartside had outlined his thinking behind the appointment when he said: "I've paid particular attention to his career and he has demonstrated to me he is prepared to roll up his sleeves. He has the right temperament for a battle, which this season is undoubtedly going to be."

Megson, who has signed a two-and-a-half year deal, shunned the traditional seat in the directors' box and sat in the dugout behind caretaker Archie Knox as Bolton tried desperately to raise their supporters' spirits.

It was clear that the Portuguese, who had never beaten English opposition, would be a far more testing proposition than Macedonians Rabotnicki who Bolton beat to reach the group stages.

Left back Peixoto forced Jussi Jaaskelainen to tip over an early free-kick, but after Kevin Davies nodded over Nicolas Anelka's cross in the 20th minute, the Frenchman was gifted an opportunity to lift the gloom.

Braga centre half Rodriguez slipped as he collected the ball on the edge of the centre circle, allowing Anelka to race clear.

But the forward chose to try to lob keeper Paulo Santos and his execution was found wanting as the keeper comfortably caught the ball.

The home players departed for the half-time break with frustrated jeers ringing in their ears, and in the second half it seemed that even Knox was a legitimate target.

When the board was held up on the hour to announce the much-needed arrival of El Hadji Diouf, the crowd again booed as young midfielder Danny Guthrie was hauled off.

Jaaskelainen did well to block an effort from Roland Linz and the value of the save was seen in the 66th minute when Bolton scored.

Anelka found Davies on the right and his cross to the far post was nodded in by Diouf.

But Braga equalised on 87 minutes when Jailson headed in Joao Pereira's cross.

BOLTON (4-3-3): Jaaskelainen; Hunt, A O'Brien, Meite, Cid; McCann, Guthrie (Diouf 60min), Speed; Gardner (Andranik 82), Anelka, Davies.

BRAGA: (4-3-3) Paolo Santos; Pereira, Jorge, Rodriguez, Peixoto; Vandinho, Andres Madrid (Jailson 77), Castanheira (Stelvio 65); Jorginho, Linz, Wender (Manuel 65).

Man of the match: Kevin Davies.

Referee: Darko Ceferin (Slovenia).