Bolton notched their first home league win since January to keep their hopes
of automatic promotion from Division One alive.
Striker Dean Holdsworth scored the winner in the 66th minute with a 25-yard
free-kick, catching Norwich keeper Robert Green on the hop to give the home side
a much-needed victory.
Bolton's win ended a miserable sequence at the Reebok Stadium, where they had
drawn six and lost one of their previous seven matches.
It is a run which has seen Bolton let Lancashire rivals Blackburn Rovers take
the initiative in the promotion race.
But the three points move Bolton to within a point of Blackburn, who drew at
Wolves, though Wanderers have played a game more.
The nerves of the Bolton players were clearly jangling and for long periods
they struggled to break down a stubborn Norwich side.
The first half was a lifeless affair. Bolton were tentative, particularly when
they got anywhere near the Norwich goal.
In fact, Canaries' keeper Green did not have a save to make until the 41st
minute.
He will, however, have been grateful to see an Ian Marshall effort from a
Ricardo Gardner cross go inches over the bar in the 25th minute.
Bolton's best effort came in the 41st minute when defender Anthony Barness
shot from 25 yards out. Green pushed the ball on to his right hand post and was
happy to pounce on the loose ball.
The second half was just as scrappy, despite the half-time introduction of Bo
Hansen for Marshall.
But Bolton had a real let-off before they eventually went in front. A slip
from Barness on the halfway line let Darren Kenton through but he shot just
wide.
After Holdsworth's goal Bolton had a purple patch and within seconds the
striker headed against the bar from a Gardner cross.
Then Bolton midfielder Per Frandsen had the ball taken off his toe by keeper
Green after Bo Hansen's clever through ball.
But the home side failed to take their chances and were relieved when the
final whistle went to end their home hoodoo.
Teams
Bolton: Clarke, Barness, Elliott, Bergsson, Hendry, Summerbee (Passi 85), Frandsen, Gardner, Holdsworth, Farrelly, Marshall (Hansen 45).
Subs Not Used: Wright, Whitlow, Ricketts.
Goals: Holdsworth 66.
Norwich: Green, Drury, Fleming, Mackay, Jackson, Kenton (McGovern 78), Mulryne (Holt 78), Russell, Llewellyn, Notman (Abbey 78), Roberts.
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Nedergaard.
Booked: Jackson.
Att: 17,967.
Ref: P Rejer (Worcester).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook