El-Hadji Diouf got the only goal of the game 16 minutes from time as Bolton took a slender 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Reebok Stadium in the first leg of their last 32 tie.

Diouf struck moments after Atletico substitute Sergio Aguero was sent-off for spitting.

The Argentine player-maker will now miss the return leg and Bolton can be confident of advancing after being more than a match for their more illustrious visitors from the Spanish capital.

The hosts were the better side for large chunks of the match especially in the first-half when Taylor in particular was popping up everywhere to cause Atletico problems.

The former Portsmouth man seemed to be having his own personal duel Christian Abbiati, but the Italian goalkeeper managed to save his better efforts although not always with the greatest amount of conviction.

Bolton were also causing Abbiati some headaches by launching a number of balls into his box, and the keeper was lucky that his policy of punching away the crosses didn't get punished.

Despite having plenty of attacking talent on the pitch, the visitors were disappointing going forward but they did still cause Bolton a few nervy moments.

In just the 12th minute Antonio Lopez rather accidentally got his body on a cross and Jussi Jaaskelainen was forced into making a superb one-handed save.

Then soon after the break Diego Forlan hit the outside of the post with a drive from 18 yards out, and as the game developed Madrid started to look more dangerous going forward.

The momentum shifted again though when Aguero was sent off for spitting soon after coming on.

Bolton pressed home the numerical advantage instantly when Diouf fired home from close range after Atletico failed to clear Kevin Davies header from a Stelios Giannakopoulos cross.

When that goal went in both sides seems reasonably content to play out the game to a finish, although Bolton perhaps would have liked to have created a few more chances before the end.

Nevertheless they will feel they are in with a great chance of qualifying when the return leg takes place in Madrid in two weeks time.

Seán Fay / Eurosport