LONDON, Nov. 7(Xinhuanet)-- Bolton claimed third place in the English Premiership table after beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 on Monday.

Bolton captain Kevin Nolan gave his side the lead with an explosive shot on 31 minutes. Watched by England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, he also hit the post with a neatly placed first-time effort.

Spurs hit the woodwork twice in the second half through Mido's close-range effort and a Paul Stalteri cross that deceived Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Martin Jol, the Spurs manager, blamed a linesman for his decision."I know they have a difficult job, but the linesman got more decisions wrong," he said.

"We deserved something out of this game. We did everything right.

"A draw I could've lived with but not a defeat like this. I'm satisfied with the boys but we should've had a draw."

Before hitting the post Mido went close when he cleverly wove his way past a succession of Bolton defenders, before his shot wasbravely blocked by Radhi Jaidi.

The Tunisian's central defender's partner Ben Haim also made several vital interceptions to frustrate Martin Jol's side.

Before Spurs' late onslaught Bolton subjected the visitors to an aerial offensive from a series of set pieces in difficult windyconditions.

The best of those set pieces- a Nolan free-kick- created danger when Paul Robinson was unable to claim the ball amid a posse of players.

Having softened up Spurs, Bolton took the lead through Nolan's wonderful goal.

Following a huge punt upfield from Jaaskelainen, El-Hadji Dioufand Kevin Davies combined well on the edge of box before the ball was laid into Nolan's path.

Nolan hit the ball first time, his shot fizzing past Robinson, giving the Spurs goalkeeper no chance.

Five minutes before the interval Nolan almost got a second, striking the woodwork with a side-footed shot after more good linkplay involving Davies and Diouf.

Early in the second half the injured Davies was replaced by Jared Borgetti.

The Mexican striker proved not quite so adept as Davies in holding the ball up, though he did manage to draw an athletic savefrom Robinson.

Prior to Nolan's goal Spurs had been restricted to the occasional breakaway.

The best of those rare counter-attacks almost saw Michael Carrick release Defoe with a delightful pass, but the ball was held up by the wind and Jaidi cleared.

After going behind Spurs were more threatening in attack and Defoe had the ball in the net only to be ruled offside.

Young-Pyo Lee then managed to get a clear sight of the Bolton goal only to scuff his shot wide.

Lee had an ineffective game and he was eventually replaced by Keane.

Teemu Tainio was the next Spurs player to threaten when he popped up in the Bolton area only to misdirect his shot.

In stoppage time Stalteri's cross fooled Jaaskelainen, with theFinnish goalkeeper mighty relieved to see the ball bounce back offthe bar.

The win left Bolton two points behind second-placed Wigan and eight behind leaders Chelsea. Enditem