GARETH Southgate said Wanderers fully deserved the three points at the Riverside.

The Middlesbrough manager saw Bolton end his side’s five-game unbeaten run – and admitted the Reebok outfit were worthy winners.

“We didn’t deserve anything from the game,” he said. “We made the wrong decisions too many times with and without the ball, and when you have a start like that you give yourself a mountain to climb.

“Bolton are a strong and physical team and they don’t give much away, so chances are at a premium and you can’t afford to concede three.

“Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say they deserved it.”

But the Boro boss was less enamoured with the manner of the opening goal.

The Teesiders had identified Wanderers’ goal threat from set plays in training this week – but failed to heed the warnings.

Emanuel Pogatetz’s reckless lunge on Johan Elmander conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position, from which Gretar Steinsson’s header flicked off the back of Kevin Davies’ head to hand Gary Megson’s side an early lead and pave the way for victory.

“We saw enough of Bolton this week to know that they play to get free-kicks in those areas” said Southgate, who believed his side gave themselves an unneccessary mountain to climb.

“We spoke about not giving free-kicks away in those areas and, number one, we conceded a free-kick there and, number two, we didn’t deal with it. “That’s a lesson we shouldn’t have needed to learn.”