Bolton kept their slim First Division play-off hopes alive by winning a
seven-goal thriller at the Reebok Stadium.
Two goals in the first three minutes set the tone for a fascinating battle
and Walsall, fighting against relegation, looked as though they might scrape a
point with a spirited second-half fightback.
But it was not to be as Sam Allardyce's Bolton side recovered from their
disappointment in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley last week to collect all
three points.
The visitors had taken the lead after just 45 seconds through Paul Hall but
Bolton, with goals from Michael Johansen, Bo Hansen and Jimmy Phillips, were
looking comfortable at the interval.
Walsall refused to throw in the towel, though, and hit back in the 55th
minute to make it 3-2 as Dean Keates crossed from the left and found Pedro
Matias, who drilled in a low return that was bundled over the line by Michael
Ricketts.
Graham Fenton was inches away from an equaliser with a free-kick on the hour
mark and Matias also went close with a shot that curled just wide.
As Walsall continued to press for the equaliser Michalis Vlachos headed
powerfully but off target.
At the other end Bolton looked odds on to extend their lead in the 73rd
minute but Allan Johnston's volley was blocked on the line and Walsall survived
the corner that followed.
But a minute later Bolton restored their two-goal advantage when Hansen
scored his second goal of the game after a scramble in the area.
But if they thought the rest of the game was going to be plain sailing they
were quickly forced to think again.
Walsall hit back in the 83rd minute when Tom Bennett headed home after a
half-cleared corner to make it 4-3.
Hansen scorned the chance of a hat-trick which would have made the game
safe in the last minute of normal time when he shot over from a Johansen cross.
But despite frantic Walsall attacks Ray Graydon's men came away empty
handed.
Teams:
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Bergsson, Elliott (Phillips 15), Fish (Warhurst 45), Whitlow, Johansen, Jensen, Passi, Johnston, Gudjohnsen, Hansen (Holdsworth 89).
Subs Not Used: Banks, Grant.
Goals: Johansen 2 pen, Hansen 13, Phillips 25, Hansen 74.
Walsall: Walker, Marsh, Viveash, Roper, Keates, Hall, Vlachos (Bukran 75), Bennett, Matias, Fenton (Wrack 82), Ricketts (Rammell 75).
Subs Not Used: Robins, Emberson.
Booked: Viveash.
Goals: Hall 1, Ricketts 55, Bennett 83.
Att: 11,777
Ref: M Dean (Eastham).
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