Craig Fagan scored a vital equaliser as Hull kept their hopes of beating relegation alive with a battling 1-1 draw at Bolton.

Fagan cancelled out a crisp strike from Gretar Steinsson to earn his side a point from a crucial Barclays Premier League encounter at the Reebok Stadium.

Hull could have had more had Manucho not squandered a host of chances or Jussi Jaaskelainen not been in inspired form.

Bolton went close to taking the lead in the second minute when Matt Taylor cut in from the right wing and fired narrowly over from 20 yards.

Danny Shittu required lengthy treatment after being caught in the face by Manucho's arm. Manucho missed his kick in front of goal from a low cross by George Boateng and later headed straight at Jaaskelainen from a Nick Barmby delivery.

Bolton snatched the lead in the 26th minute as Steinsson finished off a quick counter-attack with a superb strike.

Bolton almost doubled their lead in first-half injury time as Fagan blocked a Gary Cahill header on the line.

Hull equalised when Shittu and Jaaskelainen got their lines of communication mixed up and Fagan nipped in.

Barmby went close with an effort that rebounded off the post and his replacement Dean Marney was first to a loose ball but Jaaskelainen forced him wide to shoot across goal.

Daniel Cousin rose to meet a free-kick with a header but Jaaskelainen tipped the ball onto the bar and Fagan shot wide. Jaaskelainen denied Hull again with eight minutes remaining as he produced a brilliant save from a Fagan header.