Seventy-seven years after Bolton played in the first FA Cup Final at Wembley, they are on the verge of a return in the final season before the Twin Towers are demolished.

Icelandic striker Eidur Gudjohnsen maintained his run of scoring in every round when he netted the only goal of the quarter-final tie against high-flying Charlton just after half-time.

Gudjohnsen's strike booked Bolton their first place in the semi-finals since 1958 and the days of Nat Lofthouse when they beat Manchester United in the final.

Bolton had to work hard for this fine win and they were reduced to 10 men when Dean Holden was sent off two minutes after Gudjohnsen's strike.

But they held on despite a few scares near the end to the delight of the Wanderers fans in the 20,000 crowd.

The odds had favoured Charlton in this all First Division clash and the Nationwide League leaders arrived at the Reebok Stadium on the back of an 11-match unbeaten run.

Alan Curbishley's men have opened up a commanding lead at the top and are well on course for a swift return to the Premiership, while Wanderers languish in mid-table.

Wanderers, keen not to let slip their second chance of playing at Wembley after losing to Tranmere in the Worthington Cup semi-finals, made a mockery of the form book as they made a flying start.

After just 30 seconds Gudjohnsen went close when he cut inside on to his left foot and unleashed a shot from 20 yards out, which skimmed Dean Kiely's crossbar.

Bolton extended their grip on the game and Robbie Elliott pounced on a loose ball and advanced to the edge of the area before shooting across goal.

The left-back went even closer in the 13th minute when Charlton failed to clear a cross from the left and he reacted quickest to stab the ball against the post from six yards out.

The Addicks defence continued to creak and groan and Chris Powell came to his team-mates' aid when he nodded away Holden's goalbound header.

As expected, Andy Todd did not receive the warmest of welcomes on his first return to Bolton after he was offloaded in November because of his alleged punch-up with assistant boss Phil Brown.

Todd, who kept his midfield place despite Mark Kinsella's return from a stomach virus, was booed every time he touched the ball.

Bolton maintained their pressure and it seemed only a matter of time before they would make the breakthrough.

It almost came when Elliott released Bob Taylor with a delightful backheel only for the striker to take the ball too wide before he eventually managed a shot, which was saved by Kiely.

Wanderers had a strong penalty appeal for handball turned down when Charlton defender Anthony Barness blocked Taylor's overhead kick with his arms, but referee Graham Poll awarded a corner instead.

Gudjohnsen netted his fourth goal in this season's FA Cup when he fired Bolton ahead with a great strike 65 seconds after the interval.

Gudjohnsen fed Michael Johansen before the Dane played him through on the right and he scored his 15th of the season with a terrific angled shot which went in off the far post.

Wanderers' joy was cut short two minutes later when they were reduced to 10 men when Holden, who has just returned from suspension, was sent off.

The defender butted John Robinson in apparent retaliation for a clash between the pair 30 seconds earlier and Poll had no hesitation in producing the red card.

Allardyce quickly rejigged his 10 men and brought on defender Paul Ritchie for Taylor.

Predictably Charlton made use of their man advantage and now it was Bolton's turn to defend.

Wanderers goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen made a good stop from Robinson before Richard Rufus' deflected header was hoofed away.

Charlton tried to increase the pressure further and Kinsella came on for defender Barness.

Tempers flared again and Johansen and Graham Stuart, an FA Cup winner with Everton in 1995, had to be pulled apart, although Poll did not book either player.

Todd was saved from the Bolton crowd's jeers when he was replaced midway through the half by former Wanderer John Salako.

Bolton were hanging on and 15 minutes from time Allardyce brought on the fresh legs of Jamaican international Ricardo Gardner for Allan Johnston.

Poll was having to work hard to maintain control and he rightly booked Elliott for a late tackle on Rufus in the centre circle.

Both sides had chances to score in the final minutes and Gardner deflected Robinson's shot just over the bar before the Wanderers substitute wasted a glorious opportunity to seal victory when he shot wide.

There was still time for one last scare for Bolton and in the final minute, Kinsella's shot rebounded off the post and Jaaskelainen somehow managed to save Robinson's follow-up with his feet.

Teams

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Holden, Bergsson, Fish, Whitlow, Johansen (Passi 88), Jensen, Elliott, Johnston (Gardner 75), Gudjohnsen, Taylor (Ritchie 49).

Subs Not Used: Banks, Holdsworth.

Sent Off: Holden (48).

Booked: Elliott.

Goals: Gudjohnsen 47.

Charlton: Kiely, Barness (Kinsella 58), Powell, Brown, Rufus (Tiler 82), Newton, Todd (Salako 67), Stuart, Robinson, Pringle, Hunt.

Subs Not Used: Ilic, Konchesky.

Att: 20,131

Ref: G Poll (Tring).