IT'S as you were and all to play for in the race for Europe.

And, with only five games to go, that suits Wanderers right down to the ground - even if Sam Allardyce is still playing down their chances of securing a Champions League spot.

He might just have changed his tune if James Vaughan had not snatched a controversial equaliser that kept Everton in their slipstream.

Because, if they had managed to hold on to the lead Kevin Davies secured with his second goal in three games, Wanderers would have been six points clear of the field and level on points with fourth-placed Arsenal, who could only manage a draw at Newcastle.

Even so, Saturday's trip to The Emirates could well be the game that finally convinces the Bolton boss to acknowledge that El-Hadji Diouf wasn't whistling in the wind when he predicted a top four finish.

Davies, whose return from the foot injury he suffered in the FA Cup tie at Arsenal in January has been a major factor in a revival that has brought seven points from the last three games, senses they are on the verge of something special.

"It was disappointing not to get the win, but we're in a brilliant position with five games to play," said the Wanderers warhorse.

"We wouldn't want to be anywhere else at the moment.

"I thought the Champions League was a big ask for us and I said just a couple of weeks ago that we'd settle for a UEFA Cup spot, but now we're in with a great chance.

"We're not discussing it too much but we can sit down and look at the table and think what a great opportunity it is for everybody.

"Everyone's got an eye on it and we're looking forward to Saturday.

"We wanted to beat Everton and create a six-point gap, but it was a difficult game against a team that is in form. In the end it was important we didn't get beat."

There were occasions in the second half when their defensive nerve was tested - often due to their own clumsiness and hesitancy - but Everton failed to take advantage and skipper Phil Neville accepted that a draw was a fair result.

That didn't prevent both camps feeling they were victims of some bad refereeing.

Wanderers were furious that Lee Carsley got away with an elbow on Gary Speed in the build up to Vaughan's 33rd minute equaliser, while Everton were seething that, just a minute later, neither the referee nor his assistant appeared to see anything wrong with El-Hadji Diouf's challenge that left Neville needing extensive treatment on his left knee.

From then on, the game degenerated into a niggly, scrappy affair, punctuated by a succession of stoppages that prevented either side getting into any sort of rhythm.

"They had a lot of help from that decision that went against Speedo," Allardyce said.

"It was a blatant foul and the ref's said he's seen it but still allowed play to go on.

"That's our biggest complaint. Everton might still have got back into it, I just didn't like them getting back into it like that.

"That's disappointing, but what is pleasing is that, with five games to go and going to Arsenal on Saturday, we have a group of lads edging back to their best form. They're gritty and committed as well as talented."

Davies can count himself fortunate that Joleon Lescott wasn't tuned in to the Everton offside trap in the 18th minute, leaving him free and unmarked to receive Ivan Campo's free kick. But he showed great composure and skill, taking the ball on his chest then swivelling to volley a left-footer past a bemused Tim Howard.

But, despite Speed's justified complaint, Wanderers contributed largely to their own downfall 15 minutes later when they had more than one chance to shut the door on Leon Osman before Vaughan slid the ball past Jussi Jaaskelainen after getting the benefit of a lucky ricochet off Nicky Hunt and Aboulaye Faye.

Vaughan was less fortunate on the hour, though, when he severed an artery in his leg in an accidental clash with Abdoulaye Meite and bled so profusely that he needed hospital treatment.

When Nicolas Anelka played his defence into trouble just before half time, presenting Andy Johnson with a chance to test Jaaskelainen, it was the start of a succession of problems that beset the Wanderers back four in the second half.

At times the defending was frenzied, but they still managed to protest Jaaskelainen from any serious threats.

"Four points from six is not so bad," Allardyce said, satisfied with the form and the results Wanderers managed over the Easter break.

"The big one was Wigan. If we hadn't beaten them it would have been hard for us.

"Everton are on op of their form and haven't lost in five away game, so this was a good point."