A goalkeeping error from Robert Green helped Bolton Wanderers to a 3-1 victory over West Ham United at Upton Park to end Gianfranco Zola's 100 per cent Premier League record.

Green dropped a high ball at the feet of Kevin Davies after 30 minutes before the wet conditions again played their part as Gary Cahill bundled in from close range.

Carlton Cole gave West Ham a lifeline on the hour but substitute Matthew Taylor made sure of victory win with a 30-yard free-kick four minutes from time.

Andy O'Brien, the Bolton defender, felt his side earned reward for their industry.

"We knew our away from had to improve and we have closed the gap. This is a great result for us," he said. "We knew had to come here and work hard. We have felt disappointed with results but have played quite well. Today we put in a good performance and got the right result."

Taylor, who struck four minutes from time after coming off the bench, felt victory was no more than they deserved.

"The aim was to hang on to the victory. We deserved to be in front and they got a soft goal," he said. "It is a fantastic three points and moves us slightly up the table. Any three points away from the Reebok are welcome."

Green's mistakes condemned Gianfranco Zola to his first league defeat and hardly helped the keeper's international prospects at a time when Fabio Capello is still looking for a long-term No 1.

Bolton should have taken the lead when Johan Elmander found himself with only Green to beat but he shot straight at Green from close range. The first sign that Green was struggling came when Ricardo Gardner's corner almost sneaked in at the near post.

David di Michele led the West Ham response as the Italian striker fired wide from the edge of the area and Valon Behrami blasted just past the far post from long range soon after. But it was Bolton who were gifted the lead in the 30th minute.

Green came to the edge of his area to make what should have been a routine catch. Instead he allowed the ball to slip out of his grasp and Davies was perfectly placed to loop his shot into the empty net. Even taking into consideration the rain that had soaked Upton Park before kick-off, Green could have no excuses and his day got even worse four minutes later.

Andy O'Brien's free-kick into the penalty area was headed out to Gretar Steinsson. Green saved the defender's powerful strike low to his left but allowed the ball to break loose and Cahill was able to poke in his first Bolton goal since joining from Aston Villa in January.

Zola implored his players to keep their heads up from the touchline and they emerged with renewed determination after half-time. When Carlton Cole's deflected shot forced a superb stop from Jussi Jaaskelainen early in the second period, the Hammers finally began to mount a fightback.

Although Gavin McCann shot narrowly off-target from the edge of the area, the momentum was with West Ham and Cole reduced the deficit in the 69th minute. Matthew Upson headed Matt Etherington's corner back across goal and Cole was able to nod past Jaaskelainen from close range.

West Ham pressed hard for an equaliser but it was Bolton who got the decisive goal in the 86th minute when Taylor scored with a fierce free-kick that flashed past Green.