Bolton Wanderers have beaten Middlesbrough by a single goal this afternoon to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Three goals in seven second-half minutes decided the match, with the visitors reduced to 10 men shortly after.

Bolton started the game well, putting the visitors under pressure with a series of early corners. First Craig Davies was denied from long-range, before Jason Steele saved Medo Kamara's well-struck volley.

Some good play between Davies and Marvin Sordell released Darren Pratley shortly afterwards, but the midfielder's shot went just wide from 25 yards out.

Against the run of play, Boro almost took the lead just before half time. Richard Smallwood dragged his shot wide, only for Scott McDonald to get within inches of poking it in at the back post.

Minutes after the restart, Bolton were ahead. Chris Eagles burst through on the right, before seeing his attempted cross loop over Steele and into the goal.

They weren't ahead for long though. Five minutes later Mustapha Carayol beat two players on the left before crossing the ball for Kieron Dyer creep in at the far post and head in.

A third goal in seven minutes instantly put the home team back in front when after Lee Chung-Yong was fouled in the box, Sordell stepped up and squeezed the ball past Steele.

Five minutes later Middlesbrough were reduced to 10 men, as Jonathan Woodgate received his second yellow card for pulling Sordell back.

The home side gained a measure of control after that and saw out the game to move within a point of the playoff positions.