Wanderers produced arguably their finest performance of the season, thumping Middlesbrough 4-1 at the Reebok.

Having already despatched the Teessiders 3-1 at the Riverside earlier in the season, Gary Megson's men went one better on home turf to complete an emphatic double thanks to goals from Kevin Davies, Gary Cahill, Matthew Taylor and Ricardo Gardner.

It was a performance built on character as after taking an early lead, Middlesbrough clawed themselves level just before half-time thanks to Gary O'Neil.

But Wanderers wanted and merited the three points more than the visitors and produced a sizzling all-round display to move their points tally to 37 points with seven matches still remaining.

Ahead of kick-off, Gary Megson opted for one change with Danny Shittu being preferred in central defence alongside Gary Cahill at the expense of Sebastien Puygrenier. The former Watford defender impressed after coming off the bench in Wanderers' previous outing at West Bromwich Albion and was subsequently selected to make only his eighth start of the season.

He was immediately involved in the action, picking up a yellow card in only the third minute for a late challenge on Stewart Downing 30 yards from goal. It left the England international feeling a little dazed, however it was Bolton's left-winger Ricardo Gardner who made more of a significant impact in the opening exchanges.

The Jamaican played a pivotal role in Wanderers' first goal of the afternoon on ten minutes, skinning Justin Hoyte and whipping in a delicious cross for Kevin Davies to convert at the far post. It gave England manager Fabio Capello yet another reminder of his capabilities, having notched his 12^th goal of the season and his fourth in Bolton's last five home games.

Gardner was again involved in the thick of the action only moments later when, having stolen the ball on the halfway line, he unselfishly played in Johan Elmander. The Swede, still looking for his first goal of 2009, could only fire tamely at goalkeeper Brad Jones having taken his time settle himself into a shooting position.

Stewart Downing cut in from the flank and dragged a shot wide, whilst Matt Taylor forced Jones into another smart save from a free-kick as Wanderers come out of the blocks like a house on fire.

Despite suffering the early blow, Middlesbrough too were looking dangerous as the central defensive combination of both David Wheater and Robert Huth had opportunities in a period of play midway through the first half.

With 35 minutes on the clock, Middlesbrough came within a lick of paint from levelling the scores when Afonso Alves hit the post with a free-kick that left Jussi Jaaskelainen rooted to the spot, before minutes later Tuncay had a goal disallowed for offside.

The Teessiders did manage to restore parity six minutes before the interval when Gary O'Neil finished off an move by his team. Alves nodded the ball down to Tuncay, who in turn played a perfectly weighted slide-rule pass that O'Neil slotted past Jaaskelainen.

The Middlesbrough lead lasted all of four minutes as Wanderers regained the initiative through Gary Cahill. It was the former Aston Villa man's first goal at the Reebok and one that his performance merited having already come close with a header earlier in the half.

This time he coolly poked the ball past Brad Jones from five yards out having been assisted by Johan Elmander, who had controlled Matt Taylor's searching free-kick. It was the perfect tonic for Gary Megson just on the stroke of half-time.

Middlesbrough, seemingly spurred on by a Gareth Southgate team talk, came out after the interval recharged and twice came within a whisker of making it 2-2 through the lively Tuncay. The Turkish international firstly shot wide from the edge of the penalty area before he acrobatically volleyed the wrong side of the post minutes later.

Sandwiched in-between was a snap shot from Wanderers record signing Elmander, who reacted the quickest to Matt Taylor's deflected set-piece, however he lacked the necessary composure and fired over the bar.

The Wanderers supporters sensed the potential importance of the three points and cranked up the volume inside the Reebok, and the game itself began to open up as the clock ticked along.

Middlesbrough continued to press with Afonso Alves glancing a header wide following a pinpoint cross from goalscorer Gary O'Neill, whilst Fabrice Muamba, still looking for his first strike in Bolton colours, hit a long-range thunderbolt only a fraction wide of the target on 66 minutes.

A rare error from the reliable Gretar Steinsson almost handed the visitors a lifeline when he under-hit a backpass straight into the path of Alves. Fortunately for the full-back, Jussi Jaaskelainen raced from his line and blocked the striker's attempt on goal.

Matt Taylor's audacious chip from 35 yards caused Brad Jones a few issues on 69 minutes, however the midfielder didn't have to wait much longer to get on the scoresheet.

The Whites' number seven made sure of the points from a similar distance in a rather unconventional fashion shortly after, effectively wrapping up the win for Gary Megson's men when his set-piece delivery from the right touchline evaded everyone inside the Boro penalty area and floated into the far corner of the goal.

Three became four thanks to Ricardo Gardner on 84 minutes. Not for the first time this season, Wanderers' supporters were treated to the 'Usain Bolt' style celebration when the Jamaican showed great composure to pick up a left-to-right cross field ball, take it under his control and curl past the outstretched arms of Jones from 10 yards out.

It sent the Reebok into raptures as Wanderers comfortably played out the remainder of the contest, but the majority of the Boro fans weren't present to witness the dying minutes of the contest - they had left well before Alan Wiley's full-time whistle.