Bolton gave their play-off chances a massive boost with a thrilling 3-1 win
over struggling Crewe.
Eidur Gudjohnsen hit the opening goal for Bolton to keep their play-off hopes
alive.
The Icelandic international rounded Dave Walton before hitting a fierce shot
which deflected off Steve Macauley to wrongfoot Jason Kearton after 15 minutes.
But Mark Rivers hit back for Crewe after strike partner Colin Cramb sent him
racing clear of the visitors defence and the striker thundered his shot past
Jussi Jaaskelainen on the half-hour mark.
Referee Terry Heilbron awarded Bolton a dubious penalty after Allan Johnston
through himself on to the floor after the faintest of contacts with Crewe's
David Wright. Substitute Dean Holdsworth stepped up to take the spot kick and
confidently converted, sending Kearton the wrong way.
Then in the last minute of the game Bolton rounded off their win, Claus Jensen
and Gudjohnsen linking up well to send Jensen through to finish.
Crewe, needing a win to make sure of First Division survival were on the
attack straight from the kick-off.
Rivers sprung the Bolton off-side trap and sent strike partner Cramb racing
clear of the defence, but the shot was safely gathered by Jaaskelainen.
Bolton won a free-kick on the edge of the area and Claus Jensen curled a
stinging shot around the wall but just wide of the far post.
Then Gudjohnsen beat Walton inside the penalty area and took the ball round
Kearton, but steered too far wide and David Wright was able to tidy up.
Johnston swung in a deep cross from the left and Alex keeper Kearton fumbled
Bo Hansen's glancing header, but gathered at the second attempt.
Gudjohnsen came desperately close to adding a second after Walton had sliced
Johansen's cross in the box, but the striker steered his shot wide from close
range.
Dario Gradi's men were straight on the attack after the break, with Colin
Little hitting a powerful shot which was well saved by Jaaskelainen.
Gudjohnsen went on a brilliant mazy run which took him past three defenders
before Kearton made a superb block.
Teams:
Crewe: Kearton, D. Wright, Macauley, Walton, S. Smith, Street,
Sorvel, Lunt, Little, Cramb (Tait 77), Rivers (Jack 52).
Subs Not Used: Ince, S. Wright, Foran.
Goals: Rivers 30.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Ritchie (Phillips 45), Fish, Bergsson,
Whitlow, Johansen, Jensen, Warhurst, Johnston,
Gudjohnsen (Farrelly 89), Hansen (Holdsworth 67).
Subs Not Used: Banks, Passi.
Booked: Ritchie.
Goals: Gudjohnsen 15, Holdsworth 71 pen, Jensen 89.
Att: 8,015
Ref: T Heilbron (Newton Aycliffe).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook