Crvena Zvezda 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 which lost 4-0 to Liverpool on Sunday were in the starting line-up: Nicky Hunt, Jlloyd Samuel, Abdoulaye Meite and 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 Hunt carelessly lost possession to Nenad Milijas. The midfielder snatched at his shot 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 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.
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 Speed left his marker but flashed his shot wide.
Red Star responded and Al Habsi did well to block Koroman's header.
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 steered 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 but the match was trouble-free, although 100 "official" Wanderers fans were held at a hotel ahead of the game for their own safety, according to a British Foreign Office spokesman.
CRVENA ZVEZDA: Randjelovic, Bronowicki (Andjelkovic 80), Tutoric, Bajalica, Basta, Milijas (Burzanovic 73), Koroman, Lucas, Molina, Milovanovic, Jestrovic (Filip Djordjevic 64). Subs not used: Banovic, Vladimir Djordjevic, Raskovic, Castillo. Booked: Koroman.
BOLTON: Al Habsi, Hunt, Meite, Michalik, Samuel, Giannakopoulos, Speed, Teymourian, Wilhelmsson, McCann, Braaten (Sinclair 87). Subs not used: Walker, Guthrie, Harsanyi, Cassidy, Sissons, Woolfe. Booked: McCann. Goals: McCann 45.
Referee: Paul Allaerts (Belgium)
