Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink left Bolton clinging precariously to the Premier
League with an 86th-minute strike at the Reebok Stadium.
Leeds' Dutch marksman smashed home his side's third goal in a 3-2 victory to
put the Yorkshire club within touching distance of a European place.
But George Graham's side had to endure a final four minutes of torture as
first Mark Fish fired home Bolton's second before substitute Gaetano Giallanza
hit home what looked to have been a last-gasp equaliser until referee Jeff
Winter ruled the goal out for offside.
Norwegian player Alfie Haaland (16) and Gunnar Halle (34) had given Leeds a
commanding 2-0 half-time lead.
The Yorkshire side had ridden their luck in the first period as Wanderers
twice struck the woodwork through United midfielder Lucas Radebe and defender
Andy Todd.
But Leeds appeared to have survived the initial second-half onslaught
following Alan Thompson's 25-yard free-kick which had brought Wanderers back
into the game at 1-2.
Hasselbaink fired home his 20th of the season four minutes from time but an
inspired Bolton fightback almost brought the Premiership strugglers back into a
game they should really have sealed in the first-half.
Bolton had enjoyed the greater control of the first period and Thompson was
unfortunate to see the impeccable Nigel Martyn push his eighth-minute
half-volley over the bar.
The midfielder had been paid the perfect compliment by Leeds boss George
Graham of a man-marker in Radebe.
But it was the England international keeper who came to the rescue as he
palmed Thompson's effort over the bar.
The subsequent corner almost caused further embarrassment to the South African
international. Per Frandsen swung the ball in and Radebe pushed out a knee to
clear but only forced the ball against his own post. Fortunately for the
visitors, Nathan Blake was penalised for handling the follow-up.
Then, in the 16th minute and totally against the run of play, Leeds stole an
advantage. Harry Kewell stroked a perfect ball to Haaland who rifled home his
sixth goal of the season from the edge of the area.
Twelve minutes later, Frandsen was left fuming when referee Winter dismissed
his pleas for a penalty after Lee Bowyer had appeared to hold the Danish
international back in the area.
And in the 34th minute, Bolton paid with a greater penalty. Ian Harte found
time and space on the left flank to cross into the area. The ball sailed above
the heads of the Wanderers defence and Halle raced in to put Leeds two goals to
the good.
The home side were again denied by the woodwork with two minutes left in the
first period. Thompson floated a free-kick to Taylor who chested the ball down
to Todd on the penalty spot. The defender showed great control to find himself
time to shoot but his strike only rattled Martyn's right-hand post.
Leeds manager Graham threw at least nine men behind the ball from the start of
the second-half. And Bolton struggled to find a breakthrough until Bowyer
handled seven yards outside his own area. Thompson placed the ball before
quickly driving home into the bottom left corner of Martyn's net.
Bolton threw men at the ball and John Sheridan and Blake both went close in
the 15 minute period which followed Bolton's first of the day.
Then, in the 70th minute, a neat one-two with Taylor gave Neil Cox room in the
area. Martyn did brilliantly to parry and then had to react quickly again to
deny Blake's driven rebound.
But with four minutes remaining and Bolton appearing ragged, Hasselbaink moved
in for the kill.
Bowyer cut out Todd's poor clearance before feeding the Dutchman who needed
only to look up to lift the ball over the advancing Branagan.
But in a dramatic final flourish, Bolton substitute John Salako swung in a
corner from the left which was met perfectly by a Taylor volley. Martyn did
brilliantly to push the ball away but South African international Fish followed
up to give Bolton a lifeline.
Seconds later, it looked as if on-loan striker Gaetano Giallanza had secured
at least a point in the Bolton fight for survival when he lashed home beyond
Martyn. But referee Mr Winter felt he had seen an infringement in the Leeds area
and disallowed the strike.
Teams:
Bolton: Branagan, Cox, Fish, Thompson, Phillips (Salako 70),
Bergsson, Sheridan (Giallanza 82), Todd, Frandsen, Blake, Taylor.
Subs Not Used: Jaaskelainen, Johansen, Taggart.
Booked: Cox, Bergsson, Thompson.
Goals: Thompson 56, Fish 89.
Leeds: Martyn, Kelly, Haaland, Radebe, Wetherall, Hasselbaink,
Bowyer, Halle, Kewell, Harte, Hiden.
Subs Not Used: Beeney, Molenaar, Hopkin, Jackson, Wallace.
Booked: Hasselbaink, Hiden.
Goals: Haaland 16, Halle 34, Hasselbaink 85.
Att: 25,000
Ref: J T Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).
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