Megson: Still a long way to go

Gavin McCann grabbed the only goal of the Barclays Premier League clash at the Riverside Stadium to lift the Trotters out of the bottom three.

Megson said: "We just went about our game in a much better manner. We are not by any stretch playing champagne football, but I defy anyone to in the bottom three at this stage of the season."

A Bolton win seemed far from likely as Boro raced out of the blocks, only to squander several good chances in the opening minutes.

The visitors eventually settled and McCann stabbed home the winner from close range just before the hour, lifting his side out of the drop zone.

Megson continued: "It was half a game from our point of view. I was really concerned and really angry. I thought we had gone past that and expected a much better start from us. Gradually we came back into it and the second half was like chalk and cheese. We were miles, miles better than in the first 45 minutes.

"Psychologically I am sure it is a big thing for us, but what we must recognise is we haven't done anything apart from give us a much better opportunity than we had two weeks ago."

Boro boss Gareth Southgate admitted his side paid the price for failing to make the most of their openings.

He said: "We had the chances in the first 20 minutes to have been in a very strong position at half-time. People have said we have nothing to play for and would we be up for it? But in the way we started the game I think we showed we were.

"But when you those spells of pressure you have got to score and we didn't. They started the second half much better than us, simple as that, and when they had their spell, they scored."