West Ham United 1 Bolton Wanderers 1.

Gary Megson admits it will take time to emerge from the shadow of Sam Allardyce at Bolton but he believes the stoppage-time equaliser at West Ham proves his players are willing to fight for the club.

Megson is almost a fortnight into the job and is still without a win, but Kevin Nolan's strike in the 94th minute earned a precious point in their battle to beat the drop and Bolton players celebrated like it was a victory.

Nolan was among the players whose future appeared uncertain during the final days of Sammy Lee's reign but the midfielder, along with Gary Speed who was in a similar position, showed at Upton Park that they are prepared to scrap to get themselves out of trouble.

After falling behind to George McCartney's acrobatic volley, the visitors dug in and hit the woodwork twice before Nolan pounced at the death.

Megson said: ''Footballers don't play for the manager first and foremost, they play for their families then the football club.

''Your family stays constant, your football club can change, so that is what you're playing for.

''In terms of playing for the club they couldn't have done any more. They ran themselves into the ground, they can pass better, cross better and finish better - but we can't show any more commitment or honesty.''

Megson is still shaping a team heavily influenced by Allardyce before his departure to Newcastle, followed by Lee's brief spell of trying to elevate style over substance.

''All the team that started were signed by Sam,'' said Megson. ''They were brought in over a period of seven or eight years to play a certain style that they were used to.

''There is no criticism of Sammy Lee, it's just trying to fit round pegs in round holes. We have got a few issues and playing in that manner suits us a bit at the moment.''

Megson is hoping the late equaliser will lift a team that has won one Barclays Premier League game all season. As poor as they have been, a victory would have taken them 15th.

He added: ''The manner that we got a point will help.

''We have got issues, it's not right to broadcast them and they are not personal and are purely footballing ones.''

Megson felt a poor decision cost his new side a win against Aston Villa in his first game in charge, and McCartney's opener put a defeat on the cards.

''You have two choices - either the white flag goes up or you keep going,'' said Megson. ''They certainly kept going.''

Danny Guthrie hit the post in the first half, then Speed went close with a drive that was tipped over the bar by Robert Green, which may have impressed the England scouts in the crowd who are reporting back to Steve McClaren.

Jonathan Spector cleared off the line in stoppage time.