Boro leave it late to win seven-goal thriller

LONDON, Mar 26 (Reuters) Stuart Parnaby steered home a stoppage-time winner to give Middlesbrough a thrilling 4-3 win over Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League today.

Victory for Steve McClaren's side lifted them well clear of the relegation zone, while Bolton's Champions League hopes were dented by a game which had started so well for them.

Newcastle United slumped to their third defeat in eight days under caretaker manager Glenn Roeder, going down 3-1 at Charlton Athletic in a game between two mid-table sides.

The real goal bonaza was at the Riverside, where Bolton took a third-minute lead through Greek forward Stelios Giannakopoulos before Dutch striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scored twice and made another for Boro.

Nigerian Jay-Jay Okocha pulled one back for Bolton in the 57th minute, following up the loose ball after his penalty was parried, and Tunisian defender Radhi Jaidi looked to have won Sam Allardyce's men a point by heading an 81st-minute equaliser.

But the battle between two candidates for the England manager's job ultimately went Boro's way when Nigerian forward Yakubu Aiyegbeni crossed from the left and defender Parnaby guided the ball home.

Charlton striker Darren Bent, bidding for a place in England's World Cup squad, converted a penalty for his 20th goal of the season - only for Newcastle's Scott Parker to equalise against his old club with a 25-metre screamer.

But a 37th minute own goal by Newcastle's former Charlton midfielder Lee Bowyer restored the hosts' lead and Jay Bothroyd made sure of the points in the 89th minute.

REUTERS OM RN2128