Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Bolton Wanderers 2

Last updated : 12 April 2004 By Mark Heys
Bolton Wanderers came out on top in the "Battle of the Wanderers" as Kevin Davies struck in the final minute to move the Trotters over the 40 points mark and push Wolves further towards relegation.

Former Southampton man Davies scored a late goal in the corresponding fixture between the two sides in September and it was up to the striker to once again rescue Bolton against a very resilient Wolves side who could so easy have snatched victory themselves prior to the late drama.

The game sprung to life in the first minute as the home side had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Uraiah Rennie. Republic of Ireland winger Mark Kennedy burst into the box and was felled by the Bolton midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos, however Rennie decided that the Greek had made a fair challenge on the winger much to the disgust of the home side who felt they should have had a penalty.

Giannakopoulos was involved for Bolton at the other end of the pitch a few minutes later in the Trotters first attack of the game however a neat cross from the little winger was headed over the bar by the recalled Ivan Campo who had come into the side in place of captain Jay-Jay Okocha who was demoted to the substitutes role.

On 19 minutes Bolton could have taken the lead through Per Frandsen following good work by midfield duo Giannakopoulos and Kevin Nolan but the Dane under pressure from the home defence had to watch the ball sail wide of Paul Jones in the Wolverhampton goal.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince gave his usual commanding performance in the centre of the park and was unlucky not to do better in the 25th minute when he headed wide a left sided corner from Kennedy.

Bolton's Jussi Jaaskelainen then saved comfortably from Senegal striker Henri Camara after the African attempted the acrobatics in the area but could not put any power behind his effort. Giannakopoulos then saw his free kick sail wide for Bolton on the half hour point in what was a very evenly matched contest against a Wolves side who where being more positive than in recent weeks following their draw with Manchester City on Saturday.

Scotland international Colin Cameron forced a good save from the Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen with a powerful strike on 33 minutes, the Wolves midfielder was provided some good support for the strikers Henri Camara and Carl Cort throughout the afternoon as the Bolton midfield defended fairly deeply.

Stelios Giannakopoulos and Per Frandsen wasted chances in quick succession for the Trotters but it wasn't long before the away team were to take the lead. Henrik Pedersen made use of a neat pass to fire his shot low past Wolves keeper Jones for his third goal in four games.

However the lead was short lived and it was the Senegalese international Camara who brought Dave Jones side back on level terms with a fine curling effort which was to beat Jaaskelainen all ends up but in fairness to the Finnish international the Bolton defence were slow in closing down the Wolves front man who along with Shaun Newton tricked the Bolton defence out of their positions.

Welsh international Paul Jones was to deny Bolton a quick equaliser before the break as he saved well for Wolves after a shot on the turn from former Southampton team mate Kevin Davies.

After the break Bolton introduced captain Jay-Jay Okocha who was brought on in place of the tiring Per Frandsen and were looking to the Nigerian international to provide the creative spark which the Trotters needed to reinstate their lead.

Ivan Campo fired over the crossbar for Bolton following a corner from Stelios Giannakopoulos whilst Davies used his aireil threat but was unable to beat Jones who despite recent critisism was having a good game for the Molineux men.

On 70 minutes veteran Denis Irwin was lucky to stay on the field for Wolves when he hacked down Bolton goalscorer Pedersen but referee Rennie saw fit to award Bolton the free kick and caution the former Manchester United and Oldham Athletic player.

Frenchman Youri Djorkaeff, rested following the weekend clash with Aston Villa then entered the fray for Bolton in place of the hard working Giannakopoulos as Bolton looked to snatch a win from the game whilst Wolves did likewise in bringing on striker Kenny Miller in place of Irwin in their bid to push for a much needed Premiership win.

A win which the home side thought they had gained when on 88 minutes Paul Ince saw his header cleared off the line by Bolton defender Nicky Hunt much to the agony of all those in gold and black around Molineux.

Even more heartbreaking for the home side was what happened next. Kevin Davies broke well for Bolton on the counter attack to fire a last gasp winner past Jones for his second goal in as many games. A Wolves supporter entered the pitch in protest of the officials handing of the situation as tempers boiled over but was quickly dealt with by Police. For Dave Jones men it looks as if relegation is that one step nearer despite some brave and battling displays in recent weeks whilst Bolton look to their fourth successive season in the Premiership and a much needed win to boot.