WEST Ham remain in the relegation mire after a comprehensive beating at the Reebok Stadium this afternoon.

The Hammers found themselves 2-0 down after just 20 minutes and never really recovered.

Though they played much better in the second half, an early third Bolton goal gave Avram Grant's side a mountain to climb and they never really looked like getting back into the match.

Not for the first time on their travels this season, West Ham started poorly and Bolton made the most of their defensive frailties.

In truth, the Hammers could have been more than two goals down at the interval.

Bolton had a great chance to take the lead after just four minutes, but Daniel Sturridge saw his effort flash narrowly wide.

However, Sturridge made no mistake ten minutes later, curling the ball past the outstretched hand of the diving Robert Green from the edge of the area. It was a quality strike.

It should have been two soon after, Kevin Davies bursting into the box, but his finish lacked conviction and his effort went wide.

The second goal was not long in coming, though.

On 20 minutes, Martin Petrov crossed for Chung-Yong Lee to head past Green to double the home side's advantage.

Bolton continued to look the sharper, West Ham struggling to get out of their own half.

Sturridge was allowed another free header on the half-hour, the Hammers not really learning their lesson at the back.

Thomas Hitzlsperger did have a couple of long-range efforts in the first half, but they did not really trouble the hosts.

West Ham started the second half much brighter, but it was Bolton who struck on 51 minutes.

Sturridge was allowed too much time and space on the edge of the area, and the striker drove low into the far corner. It was another excellent finish.

And he almost completed his hat-trick soon after, James Tomkins just getting a foot to the ball as Bolton's dangerman rounded Green.

The Hammers finally carved out their first real chance just before the hour, Demba Ba seeing Jussi Jaaskelainen push out his goalbound header.

Sturridge had another chance for the home side, but Green this time thwarted him, sticking out a hand to stop his attempted lob.

Midway through the half, Ba came even closer than he did with his earlier effort, his 20-yard shot this time thumping against the post.

However, Sturridge, within a minute, was just wide for the Trotters, the game switching from end to end.

With six minutes to go, sub Ivan Klasnic almost added a fourth, drilling the ball just wide of the far post.