After losing three on the trot, Lee knew it was imperative they had to take something from this match. They set the tempo from the start and Reading found it difficult to handle Anelka and ElHadji Diouf.

The two players showed good skill as well as pace and movement to continually trouble their opponents.

Bolton almost took the lead in the 24th minute when Anelka fired in a powerful shot only for goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann to make a superb block. The ball broke to Diouf but Bikey was able to make another good block much to Reading's relief.

Bolton made the breakthrough after 31 minutes thanks to veteran midfielder Speed. Making his 525th Premier League appearance, he beat Bryn Gunnarsson to the ball when Diouf delivered the corner and found the net with a firm header. The playercoach's first goal of the season was no more than the home team deserved.

Bolton were growing in confidence and McCann tested Hahnemann in the 48th minute following a neat onetwo with Diouf.

Reading hit back in the 53rd minute and De la Cruz carved out an opening for himself in the area. However, he hurried his effort and saw it nestle in the sidenetting much to his frustration. It was a brief respite for Reading as a minute later Anelka raced forward and whipped in 25-yard shot that went narrowly wide of the post.

Reading, however, failed to heed the warning and the France striker extended Bolton's lead in the 55th minute. Released by Diouf he managed to evade a weak challenge from De la Cruz to score his third goal in four games.

Bolton were spraying the ball around well and Diouf delivered a superb cross in the 61st minute that Golbourne did well to head away.

Anelka found the net again in the 64th minute following good work by Kevin Nolan but his effort was ruled out for an infringement. Bolton continued to dominate the game and Nolan saw a superb volley go narrowly wide of the post in the 81st minute.

Three minutes later, Anelka got on the end of a freekick from Diouf but Hahnemann was able to take his header cleanly.

Braaten added a third for Bolton in stoppage time with a clinical finish following a superb cross from Anelka.