Nathan Blake and Jamie Pollock salvaged a point for Bolton in a roller-coaster Premiership clash with Derby at the Reebok Stadium.

Bolton led five minutes into the second-half through Alan Thompson's penalty but Derby responded with three goals in 14 minutes from Italian duo Stefano Eranio and Francesco Baiano to lead 3-1.

Eranio grabbed a 55th-minute equaliser and Baiano, having edged the Rams ahead in the 64th minute, made it 3-1 five minutes later to leave Bolton staring defeat in the face.

But Nathan Blake threw Colin Todd's men a lifeline when he pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute.

And Derby, who surrendered a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3 at Leeds, crumbled again enabling Pollock to thump home a spectacular equaliser 13 minutes from time.

Bolton had been forced to make changes with Dean Holdsworth, Keith Branagan and Mike Whitlow sidelined by injury and Peter Beardsley, Gavin Ward and Jimmy Phillips were drafted in.

Todd was also without Mark Fish - on international duty with South Africa - so Chris Fairclough made his first appearance of the season.

Derby had the luxury of fielding the same team which had beaten West Ham last Saturday but Bolton settled better and, but for wasteful finishing, would have been in command by the break.

Fairclough flicked on Scott Sellars' corner but Blake's effort rebounded off the Derby bar.

Four minutes later Bolton skipper Gudni Bergsson deflected Alan Thompson's powerful free kick inches wide.

Beardsley then played Thompson into space in the Derby area but Gary Rowett reacted quickly to make a timely block.

Per Frandsen was through on goal in the 13th minute but chose to pass to Sellars on his right with an unmarked Blake screaming for the ball on his left.

On the half hour Derby threatened briefly as Chris Powell raced down the left flank but Baiano could only shoot straight at Ward from the resulting cross.

Then, in the final seconds of the first half, Andy Todd missed a glorious chance to give the home side the lead, passing to Sellars from just five yards out, when a goal seemed to be a formality.

Bolton took the lead five minutes into the second-half when Thompson and Sellars combined to free Frandsen on the edge of the area and the Dane was brought down by Igor Stimac.

Referee Uriah Rennie had no hesitation in awarding the spot kick and Thompson was relieved to see his shot beat Mart Poom even though the Estonian keeper got a hand to the ball.

But Bolton's joy was shortlived as Derby's Italian duo sparked an amazing comeback.

Baiano cut in from the right flank and unleashed a through ball for Eranio, who found the top right hand corner with a smartly-struck shot.

And, as Bolton wavered, Baiano struck twice in quick succession. Sturridge beat Phillips and Ward could only push out his driven cross inviting Baiano to score from the rebound.

Then Sturridge and Baiano combined neatly before the Italian dribbled his way through the Bolton defence to claim Derby's third.

But, to their credit, Bolton's heads did not drop and Blake clawed them back into the game.

Thompson delivered an inviting cross and Blake climbed to steer a downward header wide of the diving Poom.

Bolton had renewed heart now and Pollock conjured up the equaliser. Thompson sent Frandsen clear and the Dane surged into the area before a neat back heel found Pollock and he drove a low shot into the far corner.

Teams:

Bolton: Ward, Frandsen, Pollock, Sellars (Johansen 88), Blake, Thompson, Bergsson, Beardsley (Gunnlaugsson 88), Todd, Fairclough, Phillips.

Subs Not Used: Cox, Jaaskelainen, Carr.

Goals: Thompson 50 pen, Blake 73, Pollock 77.

Derby: Poom, Rowett, C. Powell, Stimac, Sturridge, Wanchope (Burton 81), Carsley, Eranio, Dailly, Kozluk (D. Powell 81), Baiano.

Subs Not Used: Hoult, Yates, Hunt.

Booked: Eranio, Rowett, Baiano.

Goals: Eranio 55, Baiano 64, 69.

Att: 23,037

Ref: U D Rennie (Sheffield).