Nolan strikes late for deserved point

George McCartney opened the scoring in the 19th minute from Matthew Upson's flick-on, his first goal for West Ham, and it looked like another defeat for Megson.

But Danny Guthrie and Kevin Davies both hit the woodwork for the visitors, and Nolan struck at the death.

Ivan Campo shaved the post with an early free-kick, but it was the hosts who appeared the more confident, despite their lengthy list of injuries. Mark Noble had a groin strain and Anton Ferdinand a hamstring problem, adding themselves to a treatment room already containing the likes of Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker.

The players remaining quickly imposed themselves on Bolton, Matthew Etherington and Nolberto Solano causing panic with dangerous deliveries, while Lee Bowyer appeared to have wasted a glorious chance in the 12th minute when Carlton Cole headed into his path and he fired wide with the goalkeeper to beat - but the flag was up anyway.

The opener came in the 19th minute after Bolton failed to clear a Solano corner. Matthew Upson had an effort cleared off the line, then flicked on when the ball was crossed back in, and McCartney produced an acrobatic volley past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

It was the defender's first goal in West Ham colours - but he was required for his usual defensive duties two minutes later when El-Hadji Diouf was found on the edge of the area.

The controversial forward, jeered for an alleged spitting incident with West Ham fans earlier in his career, wriggled past Lucas Neill. His shot looped off the Hammers captain and over goalkeeper Robert Green but McCartney headed off the line.

Bolton forced their way back into the reckoning with their forthright, direct style. Danny Guthrie got on the end of a Davies header and struck the near post with his volley from just outside the area.

Cole had a close-range effort saved before he was substituted, while Davies clipped the bar from a Guthrie cross and Jonathan Spector hacked off the line in stoppage-time. Then Nolan struck with seconds left after Lubomir Michalik flicked on a cross.