Bolton beat Red Star

Red Star Belgrade 0 Bolton 1

Gavin McCann’s first goal for Bolton saw them round off their UEFA Cup group games in fine style with a commendable win against Red Star Belgrade.

The former Aston Villa midfielder scored the winner on the stroke of half-time to stun Red Star and give Gary Megson’s side a chance of a place in the last 32.

McCann swept the ball home from close range after Gary Speed had flicked on a corner from Andranik Teymourian.

Bolton manager Gary Megson rang the changes for the match. Only four of the team that lost 4-0 to Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday were named in the starting line-up – Nicky Hunt, Jlloyd Samuel, Abdoulaye Meite and Gavin McCann.

After three draws in the group, Bolton needed a victory to improve their prospects of progressing to the last 32, while Red Star were looking to pick up their first point after dropping into the competition following their Champions League qualifying round defeat to Rangers.

Megson decided not to risk striker El-Hadji Diouf on the heavy pitch. Instead, Norway international Daniel Braaten played up front on his own, with Christian Wilhelmsson and Stelios Giannakopoulos on the flanks.

Bolton had a scare after nine minutes when Nicky Hunt carelessly lost possession to Nenad Milijas. The Red Star midfielder snatched at his shot, however, and sent it high over the bar.

The home side kept up the pressure and, two minutes later, Dejan Milovanovic whipped a free-kick over the wall but wide of the post.

Bolton were taking their time to get into the game – hardly surprising given the amount of changes that had been made.

They responded in the 21st minute when Hunt’s free-kick found Wilhelmsson but his effort was deflected to safety.

Red Star hit back in the 26th minute when former Portsmouth midfielder Ognjen Koroman raced forward – only to hit his effort from distance wide of Ali Al Habsi’s left-hand post.

Hunt then tried his luck from outside the area but he failed to test the goalkeeper. Stelios was furious with his team-mate as he was better placed at the time.

Al Habsi, standing in for Jussi Jaaskelainen reacted quickly in the 31st minute and showed a safe pair of hands as Joao Lucas rattled in a shot.

Bolton carved out a half chance in the 37th minute after Andranik delivered a corner from the left. Stand-in skipper Gary Speed left his marker but flashed his shot wide.

Red Star responded and Al Habsi did well to block Koroman’s header following a cross from Naned Jestrovic.

And Megson’s men took the lead on the stroke of half-time when former Everton, Sunderland and Aston Villa midfielder McCann scored his first goal for the club, sweeping the ball home from close range after Speed had got on the end of a corner from Andranik.

Bolton almost extended their lead in the 52nd minute when the influential Andranik delivered a free-kick to the back post. Stelios was unmarked but only succeeded in steering his header into the side-netting.

Bolton were playing with a bit of confidence now after taking the lead – in contrast Red Star were heading for their third straight defeat in the group and the fans were getting frustrated.

There was a huge police presence in front of the home supporters but the match was trouble-free on and off the pitch – although 100 “official” Wanderers fans were held at a hotel on the outskirts of the city ahead of the game for their own safety, according to a Foreign Office spokesman.

Stelios was putting in a hard shift, as was McCann, with Bolton still hopeful of a place in the next phase.

Bolton defender Hunt, who has only recently recovered from a shoulder injury, needed treatment in the 79th minute after going down heavily.

However he was soon on his feet and resumed his place in the team at a crucial stage of the game.

Red Star looked dispirited and Bolton held out for a superb victory given the circumstances.