Substitute Andy Johnson grabbed a vital point for West Brom with a goal in stoppage time at The Hawthorns.

Johnson, back after suspension, got on the end of a flick from Darren Moore to tuck a shot beyond Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

The relief around the ground was palpable as the battling Baggies finally gained some reward for their efforts.

Bolton had looked in line for their second successive victory after opening the scoring in the 18th minute through Henrik Pedersen.

But to their credit Albion dug in and carved out a number of chances, knowing another home defeat would be unthinkable against the team above them in the relegation dogfight.

With so much at stake, it was no surprise the game got off to a frenetic start with players on both sides unable to linger on the ball.

Jaaskelainen was tested for the first time in the seventh minute when Danny Dichio flicked the ball forward to Jason Roberts. He turned quickly but was unable to get any power on his shot and the keeper took his effort quite comfortably.

The visitors hit back and Ricardo Gardner raced forward only to see his shot deflected to safety by Moore.

Pedersen skipped away from Moore on the byline but Derek McInnes read the situation and conceded a throw-in.

Bolton took the lead after 18 minutes when goalkeeper Russell Hoult spilled a shot from Youri Djorkaeff after a good run by Bernard Mendy.

Pedersen was on hand to tap the ball home for his fifth goal of the season to put the visitors in the driving seat.

Albion were left reeling after that early blow but Adam Chambers raised their hopes by racing down the right. He delivered a good cross into the area and Jason Roberts got away from his marker. However his header failed to trouble Jaaskelainen.

Bolton again found themselves on the back foot and Dichio found himself in a good position on the edge of the area, only to fire wide.

The Albion striker then claimed he had been impeded by Ivan Campo but referee David Elleray waved play on.

Bolton counter attacked and the industrious Djorkaeff tried his luck on goal, only to see it drift wide.

Albion almost drew level when Neil Clement sent in a 25-yard free-kick, only to see his effort drift narrowly wide of the post.

Play swung back up the other end and Campo should have increased Bolton's lead after 33 minutes. He had a free header at the back post when Frandsen cleverly flighted the ball forward but steered his effort into Russell Hoult's hands.

Gardner then picked out Djorkaeff with his back to goal. The French forward was surrounded by three players and nothing looked on.

However he spun round quickly and got in a shot that forced Hoult to go to ground and gather.

Jaaskelainen then conceded a free-kick when he brought down Dichio. McInnes played it quickly to Ronnie Wallwork with the keeper out of position. However Campo cleared off the line.

Albion found themselves under pressure in the 47th minute when Wallwork turned the ball back into the path of Pedersen.

The Danish striker, boosted by his goal in the first half, had no hesitation in rattling in a shot from 20 yards only to see Hoult take it safely.

However Roberts should have equalised in the 50th minute when Dichio released him just six yards out. His fragile confidence was exposed when he sent a shot straight into the arms of the grateful Jaaskelainen.

Albion came within inches of drawing level in the 61st minute when Sean Gregan's toe-poke hit the inside of the post and came out.

This was a good spell of pressure from the home side and Jason Koumas floated a free-kick into the path of Moore but the move broke down when he fouled Gudni Bergsson.

Bolton were not content to sit on their lead and Gardner saw a shot from the edge of the area deflected wide.

The home crowd were becoming increasingly anxious and a section were calling for Lee Hughes, who had been suffering from flu, to be called up.

Albion stepped up the pressure and both Koumas and Dichio were out of luck from good positions.

The home fans then got their wish with Hughes brought on in the 77th minute when he replaced Roberts.

On-loan strikers Salva Ballesta and Pierre-Yves Andre both came on for Pedersen and Jay-jay Okocha before Hughes almost secured a point for Albion.

He rattled in a shot from the edge of the area but Jaaskelainen reacted superbly well to block his effort.

Then came that equaliser after Moore had won the ball following a long clearance from Koumas.

Teams

West Brom: Hoult, Moore, Gilchrist (Udeze 71), Gregan, Adam Chambers, McInnes (Hughes 77), Wallwork, Koumas, Clement, Dichio, Roberts (Johnson 77).

Subs Not Used: Murphy, Sigurdsson.

Booked: Gregan, Adam Chambers.

Goals: Johnson 90.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, N'Gotty, Bergsson, Campo, Charlton, Gardner, Frandsen, Okocha (Andre 85), Mendy, Pedersen (Ballesta 80), Djorkaeff (Nolan 73).

Subs Not Used: Poole, Barness.

Booked: Campo, Jaaskelainen, Frandsen, Ballesta.

Goals: Pedersen 18.

Att: 26,933

Ref: D Elleray (Middlesex).