It was only Gardner's second goal of the season, the first coming last week in the defeat by Newcastle.

He made the breakthrough after 38 minutes and gives Bolton a glimmer of hope in their battle to beat the drop.

Tofting was pulled up by the referee after just three minutes for a challenge on Joe Cole and Vladimir Labant drove in a free kick across the face of the area, only to see it scrambled away.

Hayden Fox picked up the first yellow card of the game after nine minutes for a stiff challenge on Fredi Bobic that left the German striker needing treatment.

Bolton were looking shaky at the back and keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen did well to parry a shot from Defoe after he was released by Cole.

Bolton striker Michael Ricketts scampered away from Foxe but only succeeded in finding the side netting from an acute angle.

Bolton should have taken the lead after 22 minutes when Tofting sprung the Hammers offside trap.

Ricketts found himself with only keeper James to beat but delivered his shot straight into his arms.

Ricketts looked short on confidence despite scoring 15 goals this season and the home crowd, who haven't seen their team win at the Reebok Stadium since August, howled in disbelief.

Bolton skipper Gudni Bergsson got away from his marker in the 35th minute but his header from Gardner's corner didn't trouble James.

Bolton took the lead seven minutes before the break through Gardner - a goal sparked by Tofting's long throw.

Bobic got on the end of it and headed into the path of Mike Whitlow, who played the ball back to Gardner who drilled a 20-yard shot low past James.

Bolton got themselves in a mess two minutes after half time when Whitlow and then Jaaskelainen hesitated in getting the ball clear.

Frederic Kanoute picked up the loose ball but couldn't find Cole and the home side breathed a sigh of relief.

Bolton striker Ricketts picked out Bobic but his touch was poor and James was able to clear without too much difficulty.

Bolton had a scare in the 62nd minute when Garcia got on the end of Labant's inswinging corner but his header was narrowly off target.

Bolton almost paid for a moment of defensive slackness when Christian Dailly raced into the area to get on the end of Labant's corner, only for his header to go wide.

But they held on for their first win at home since way back in August when they were briefly top of the league.