Johnson curls in a shot for Boro's opener
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Bolton's hopes of finishing seventh and trying to get into the Uefa Cup through the Intertoto Cup were dented when they were held to a draw by Middlesbrough.
Adam Johnson put the visitors ahead against the run of play when he produced a mazy run from the left flank before curling in a deflected shot.
Bolton responded when Ricardo Vaz Te headed in but it was Boro who had the best chance to win the game.
But Ugo Ehiogu shot wide after Jussi Jaaskailainen spilled a free-kick.
Bolton's challenge for a Uefa Cup spot has fallen away badly with just four points from their last eight games going into the match and they showed one of the main reasons behind their slump during the first half.
The home side dominated the play and, despite creating several chances, failed to make their superiority count in the form of goals.
Vaz Te levelled for Bolton who could not find a winner
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Vaz Te was the culprit for Bolton after just three minutes when he was sent clean through on goal only to have his effort well-saved by debutant Turnbull.
Turnbull was quickly called upon again when he did well to block Kevin Nolan's near post shot from a low Henrik Pedersen cross.
Boro seemed content to sit back and catch Bolton on the counter-attack and they almost did so when Johnson crossed for Yakubu, who could not get enough power on to his header and saw it easily saved.
Hidetoshi Nakata side-footed over and Kevin Davies volleyed high as they also failed to capitalise on the Reebok Stadium outfit's control of the match.
Boro then made them pay for their profligacy when they took the lead shortly after half-time through Johnson's excellent solo effort.
Bolton responded immediately as they finally managed to score when Vaz Te managed to get in front of a Boro defender to head in Okocha's cross.
There were limited chances as the match drew to a close with Ehiogu missing a glorious opportunity to clinch the points for the visitors when he shot wide from point blank range.
Bolton are now eighth and two points behind Newcastle in seventh heading into the final game of the season on Sunday.
They need to beat Birmingham in their final game and hope Chelsea avoid defeat at Newcastle in order to qualify.
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce:
"The disappointing thing is we are now relying on someone else for our qualification rather than being able to do the job ourselves.
"All we can do now is win ourselves on Sunday and then run to the TV and hope Chelsea have won.
"Yet again we have not converted our chances. We should have been two or three in front by half-time and although the goal we did get was a good one, it should have been adding to the ones we already have.
"Boro were there for the taking but we couldn't finish them off."
Boro boss Steve McClaren did not appear for comments after the match.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Ben Haim, Faye, Pedersen, Okocha, Campo (Borgetti 86), Nakata (Speed 75), Nolan (Giannakopoulos 66), Davies, Vaz Te.
Subs Not Used: Walker, Jaidi.
Booked: Vaz Te.
Goals: Vaz Te 51.
Middlesbrough: Turnbull, McMahon (Davies 59), Ehiogu, Wheater, Queudrue, Parlour, Doriva, Cattermole, Johnson (Taylor 73), Christie (Maccarone 64), Yakubu.
Subs Not Used: Knight, Kennedy.
Booked: Cattermole.
Goals: Johnson 47.
Att: 22,733.
Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).
MMIX
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