Bolton's grip on the play-offs slipped in the face of a determined Wolves
fightback at the Reebok Stadium on Friday night - courtesy of Australian winger Steve
Corica's second-half equaliser.
It leaves worried Wanderers nervously checking the results pages until the
end of the season, with play-off rivals Watford and their Wanderers namesakes
both with a game in hand, and Bolton precariously placed in fifth in Division
One.
Bolton were in full control in the first half, breaking the deadlock on 36
minutes when Jamaican international Ricardo Gardner put Bolton ahead with
only his second League goal of the season.
Carl Robinson gave the ball away and Danish midfielder Claus Jensen made
him pay by darting down the middle.
He played Gardner on the left of Wolves' entire defence, leaving a simple
left-footed shot which smashed into the top right hand corner.
From the off Bolton meant business, Andy Todd and Jimmy Phillips both
narrowly failing to connect with Michael Johansen's cross four minutes in.
Todd almost stole an early opener four minutes later going close on two
successive corners ‡ his first deflected wide and his second cracking the
right-hand upright six yards out.
Wolves were restricted to runs on the break and dug deep at the back, good
work from defender Dean Richards halting Eidur Gudjohnsen on the edge of the
area after having broken free of two orange shirts.
Keeper Mike Stowell also turned away a 30-yard thunderbolt from Per
Frandsen on 22 minutes, tipping away at the bottom right post.
Wolves striker Robbie Keane missed a cast iron opportunity on the half
hour, luring Steve Banks to the edge of the area before pulling the ball
round to the near post and blowing wide across the goalmouth.
A more aggressive Wolves emerged at the restart and caused five bookings
in under 30 minutes.
The visitors broke early after the whistle, Corica playing the ball to
Keane who forced a smart save within a minute.
But Corica was on hand on 52 minutes, punishing a cautious Jim Phillips
with an equaliser when the Australian caught Phillips in possession just
inside the area before relieving him of the ball and coolly slotting home.
Super-sub Paul Warhurst snuffed out a real chance for Wolves to pocket the
points on 82 minutes when Corica charged down the left and cut in with free
rein on goal before Warhurst was dispossessed with a perfectly timed tackle.
Wolves then had to survive a late onslaught by Bolton.
Stowell pulled off a match saving move, this time for Wolves when Bob
Taylor's 15-yard shot forced a fantastic diving save from the Wolves
veteran.
Wolves were then fortunate in time added on when Gardner's shot, after
taking a deflection, crashed off the crossbar.
Teams
Bolton: Banks, Cox, Phillips (Elliott 81), Frandsen, Todd,
Bergsson (Warhurst 67), Johansen, Jensen,
Gudjohnson (Hansen 81), Taylor, Gardner.
Booked: Frandsen, Todd, Warhurst.
Goals: Gardner 36.
Wolverhampton: Stowell, Muscat, Gilkes, Sedgley, Richards,
Curle, Robinson, Emblen, Corica, Keane (Flo 85), Osborn.
Subs Not Used: Simpson, Bull.
Booked: Sedgley, Keane, Osborn.
Goals: Corica 52.
Att: 20,208
Ref: P Taylor (Cheshunt).
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