FOREST 0 BOLTON 2 BOLTON just won't roll over and die and Sam Allardyce believes such team spirit could be absolutely critical as the pressure mounts at the summit of Division One.

Without a win in seven, few onlookers Wanderers much in the way of hope on a visit to a Forest side desperately needing a win to keep alive their own play-off promotion hopes.

But Bolton are nothing if not determined and they came through to grab a priceless win and so retain second spot.

Second half goals from evergreen Dean Holdsworth and Gareth Farrelly proved too much for Forest -- the second coming following a 40-yard last-minute upfield surge by ex-Rover Colin Hendry -- and there was no doubting Bolton's right to the triumph.

Forest rarely threatened

Manager Sam Allardyce didn't try to hide his relief afterwards: "The lads deserve a lot of praise for winning this one, it was a massive game for us.

"We have taken a lot of stick in the last few weeks -- I admit that I have been on at the players myself more than once -- but they way they responded was fantastic.

"It shows that the desire and belief is still there and we have an away record to be proud of."

Remarkably, Bolton have now won 11 games on their travels and picked up five more points on the road than at the Reebok this term.