Holding a slender 1-0 lead from last week’s first leg, Wanderers produced a perfect defensive performance in the Spanish capital to frustrate the home side and claim a famous scalp.

That result was enough to send Gary Megson’s side through to a meeting against Sporting Lisbon in the next round.

Despite their first-leg advantage, the odds were still stacked against Bolton coming into tonight’s encounter, with Atletico never having lost at home to an English club in European competition.

The Spaniards had also won their last seven European ties at the Vicente Calderon, scoring 16 goals and conceding just one in the process.

However, their poor recent form, which has seen them lose five of their last eight competitive matches, gave Bolton hope, and the Trotters added to those woes with a battling display that left Atletico empty-handed and out of Europe.

Wanderers more than held their own during a disappointing first half, with Atletico clearly missing the attacking guile of suspended striker Sergio Aguero.

The 19-year-old Argentinian was handed a two-match ban by UEFA yesterday following his sending-off in the first leg for spitting.

Playing with Kevin Davies as a lone frontman, Bolton made it difficult for the hosts to create many clear-cut chances in the opening 45 minutes – indeed during the whole match.

And it was the Trotters who almost came closest to taking the lead inside the opening 10 minutes when Stelios Giannakopoulos found space on the right side of the area, and home goalkeeper Christian Abbiati needed to be alert to tip over the Greek midfielder’s well-struck shot.

Aside from that effort, it was largely Atletico making all the running in the first half, although they found clear-cut chances few and far between.

Luis Garcia had arguably Atletico’s best chance when Diego Forlan’s low cross found him unmarked at the far post.

However, the former Liverpool player blazed his shot over with only Jussi Jaaskelainen to beat and the opportunity was lost.

Forlan, the ex-Manchester United striker, also had a decent opening in the 22nd minute but he headed wide from 10 yards out.

Away from the pitch, Spanish riot police were called into action following some trouble behind one of the goals where the Atletico fans are normally housed.

It was not immediately apparent what caused the incident but the area behind the goal remained largely empty for the rest of the match.

The second half started where the first left off, with Atletico looking for that much-needed breakthrough.

Full-back Mariano Pernia tried his luck from outside the area but it was no problem for Jaaskelainen, while Luis Garcia curled a shot well wide soon after.

Forlan, Pernia and Jurado then saw three efforts bravely blocked in rapid succession following a free-kick on the edge of the Bolton area, epitomising the Premier League side’s determination to keep the hosts out.

On the hour mark, Bolton boss Megson made a double change, sending on first-leg goalscorer El Hadji Diouf and former Real Madrid man Ivan Campo.

The latter’s arrival was predictably greeted by jeers and whistles from the home fans, who clearly had not forgotten the Spaniard’s Bernabeu past.

Atletico continued to push forward in search of the goal that would possibly send the game to extra-time, and Jurado had a sighter when the Bolton defence opened up in front of him.

However, the midfielder’s shot from just outside the area was off target and the match remained goalless.

It was all hands to the pump in the Bolton defence by this stage, with Atletico pushing more and more men forward in a bid to keep their UEFA Cup dreams alive.

They appealed for a penalty with 10 minutes remaining when Forlan’s cross struck Jlloyd Samuel, but Polish referee Jacek Granat was unmoved and the hosts had to settle for a corner instead.

Atletico were becoming increasingly frustrated in the closing stages, and Jose Antonio Reyes tried a speculative effort from 25 yards out that flew harmlessly over.

Home goalkeeper Abbiati twice ventured upfield in the closing stages for a corner and free-kick, but Bolton comfortably saw off the danger en route to celebrating a famous success.