Dean Holden celebrated his first game in 14 months by grabbing a dramatic equaliser for 10-man Bolton in stoppage time.

Holden, back in action after breaking his leg against Sheffield United last season, could hardly hide his delight at the end.

He lobbed the ball over Frank Talia after the keeper had punched out Per Frandsen's shot following a cross from Jeff Smith.

It was a cruel blow for a United side who had hustled Bolton out of their stride.

Bolton, already assured of a play-off spot, finished with 10 men after Franck Passi was sent off nine minutes from time.

Passi picked up his second yellow card of the game after a challenge on Nick Montgomery.

United made a bright start and Bolton keeper Steve Banks had to look alert in the 12th minute when Ben Doane tried his luck from 25 yards.

The former Blackpool stopper got down quickly to smother the United player's well-struck drive.

The home side hit back a minute later. Former Roma youth player Emanuele Morini, making his first start, saw his shot from the edge of the area go narrowly wide.

United, who just missed out on a place in the play-offs after a disappointing spell last month, almost went behind in the 20th minute.

Morini made space in the penalty area to power in a shot that rattled the underside of the bar.

The Italian claimed a goal and close-circuit TV backed him up, but play continued and he had two more attempts that were blocked by Keith Curle.

The visitors, however, continued to press forward and Banks made a breathtaking save from Shaun Murphy's header following Rob Ullathorne's cross to the far post.

Bolton found it hard to carve out openings and their best chances in the first half seemed to come from set pieces.

Morini was growing in confidence and his 20-yard free-kick drifted just over the bar.

Then Per Frandsen saw his free-kick drift wide after Murphy had been penalised for a challenge on Jeff Smith, who was making his debut.

United opened the scoring in the 52nd minute when Paul Devlin found space on the right.

He knocked a nice little ball into the path of Asaba, who timed his run to perfection and steered a shot beyond Banks.

Frandsen then ran from deep with the United defence backing off, but his 20-yard shot went wide of the target.

Asaba looked determined to add to his tally and skipped away from skipper Mike Whitlow. He then turned inside Colin Hendry but his finish did not match his good approach play.

Bolton continued to push forward in the hope of getting an equaliser but their tactics left them vunerbale at the back.

Peter Ndlovu got away down the left after Whitlow had lost possession, only to send his effort into the crowd.

Ndlovu should have added a second for United in the 72nd minute after a lung-bursting run by Devlin, but he skied his shot over the top.

United were grateful to keeper Frank Talia in the 79th minute. He reacted superbly to tip over a header from Hendry after Frandsen had delivered the corner.

Bobby Ford then squandered another good chance for United, dragging his shot wide with the Bolton defence all at sea.

Teams:

Bolton Banks, Holden, Hendry (Hunt 83), Whitlow, Richardson (O'Kane 76), Nolan, Passi, Frandsen, Smith, Morini (Downey 65), Marshall.

Subs Not Used: Wright, Dootson.

Sent Off: Passi (86).

Booked: Frandsen, Passi, Holden, Richardson.

Goals: Holden 90.

Sheff Utd Talia, Doane, Murphy, Curle, Ullathorne, Devlin (Kozluk 89), Jagielka, Tonge (Montgomery 77), Ford, Asaba, Ndlovu (Ward 81).

Subs Not Used: Uhlenbeek, Thomas.

Booked: Murphy, Tonge, Doane.

Goals: Asaba 52.

Att: 14,836

Ref: R Pearson (Peterlee).