Kevin Nolan struck twice as Bolton edged out Blackburn by the odd goal in seven in a thrilling Premiership derby at Ewood Park.

Nolan sensationally opened the scoring after 14 seconds but Rovers were soon in control as they responded through Vratislav Gresko, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole.

Yet Wanderers picked themselves up to win at Blackburn for the first time in the top flight since 1962 with a sublime goal from Youri Djorkaeff and further strikes from Stelios and Nolan.

The tone for a remarkable game was set straight from the kick-off as Bolton raced out of the traps to take the lead when Davies played Nolan into space in the box and the midfielder smashed home.

Their lead was to last little more than a minute however as Gresko responded with a quickfire equaliser.

The Slovakian created the opening for himself as he cut inside from the left and drove low past Jussi Jasskelainen into the far corner.

Bolton almost reclaimed the lead after 15 minutes but Brad Friedel produced a fine save to deny Emerson Thome as he met a Djorkaeff corner with a powerful header.

Rovers were the next to strike but there was controversy over Yorke's 23rd-minute goal as Bolton were temporarily down to 10 men.

Defender Nicky Hunt had left the field for treatment two minutes earlier after being kicked on the head in a tangle with Cole - who was booked for his involvement - inside the area.

Rovers quickly took advantage of the numerical superiority as Brett Emerton picked out Cole with a cross from the right and his first-time pass found Yorke unmarked in front of goal.

The Trinidadian coolly tucked home and he could have had a second five minutes later when he lobbed over from close range.

Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce sensed the need for change and decided to replace Per Frandsen with Stelios after just half an hour.

But Allardyce could do little to prevent the mistake which allowed Cole to extend Rovers' lead three minutes later.

Bruno N'Gotty was the guilty party as Cole quickly seized upon his poor back header and fired in a shot. Jaaskelainen managed to parry the attempt but could not prevent it dropping under the crossbar.

Bolton were not about to throw in the towel however and got themselves back into the game with Djorkaeff's sublime effort three minutes before half-time.

The Frenchman was given space on the right of the area and he took full advantage as he took one touch, steadied himself and beat Friedel with a measured lob.

The second half started just as frantically and Stelios spurned a great chance to equalise for Bolton six minutes after the restart.

Djorkaeff did well to chase down a long ball and Stelios looked certain to score as the Frenchman looked up and found him in front of goal.

But the substitute hesitated for a moment too long as he weighed up his shooting options and allowed Lucas Neill to get in a good block on the edge of the six-yard box.

There was no let-up in goalmouth action and Markus Babbel should have done better than to head over after reaching a superb cross from a Gresko free-kick.

Cole was then unlucky not to get a touch as Yorke played a dangerous ball across goal and another attack broke up when Cole raced onto a long ball from Tugay but fouled Simon Charlton.

At the other end Stelios chipped over but with Bolton still trailing, Allardyce decided to introduce new signing Javi Moreno after 68 minutes.

It seemed just a matter of time before the next goal and it came in the form of a Bolton equaliser after 72 minutes.

The Rovers defence claimed Stelios was offside as Davies found him with a header forward but the officials saw nothing wrong and the Greek international volleyed home.

Blackburn thought they had gone back ahead moments later when Cole intercepted a Jaaskelainen goalkick and curled a shot into the net but the ball had not travelled outside the area.

Instead it was Bolton who reclaimed the lead when a 77th-minute Djorkaeff corner caused panic in the Rovers box and Nolan stabbed home his second of the day to win the game.

Teams

Blackburn Friedel, Neill (Jansen 83), Babbel, Martin Taylor, Gresko, Emerton, Tugay, Douglas (Danns 74), Yorke, Cole, Gallagher (Baggio 64).

Subs Not Used: Johansson, Enckelman.

Booked: Cole, Gresko.

Goals: Gresko 3, Yorke 24, Cole 34.

Bolton Jaaskelainen, Hunt, N'Gotty, Thome, Charlton (Javi Moreno 69), Nolan, Campo, Frandsen (Giannakopoulos 31), Djorkaeff, Okocha, Davies (Pedersen 86).

Subs Not Used: Barness, Poole.

Booked: Nolan, Hunt, Davies.

Goals: Nolan 1, Djorkaeff 43, Giannakopoulos 73, Nolan 78.

Att: 23,538

Ref: S Dunn (Gloucestershire).