Bolton Wanderers - 3 (Bergsson 20. Ricketts 75. Frandsen 77.)
Crystal Palace - 3 (Freedman 41. 87. Morrison C 90.)

Following the midweek defeat at home to Grimsby, Palace travelled to meet Bolton, who were riding high in the promotion play-off places. To really add to our woes we had never won here in any of our League fixtures. Our chances of turning that record around, based on our form of late, looked very remote.

For once Palace seemed to start this match looking the far more likely team to score, and it was only the athleticism of Finn Jussi Jaaskelainen that kept both Steve Staunton and Dougie Freedman out. Despite the pressure Palace still seemed unable to score, so it was of little surprise to the faithful travelling supporters that when Bolton got their chance at goal they duly scored. Mark Fish threw a long ball from the sidelines that was helped on its' way by Kevin Nolan. Gudni Bergsson was left with the simple task of tapping the ball home from close range, and suddenly we were one goal down.

For once though, Palace did not seem to lose the plot, and somewhat to everyone's surprise they continued to maintain pressure on the home goal. Still a goal would not come though, but shortly before half time all that was to change. Tommy Black put in a great cross that eluded the defence, and Dougie Freedman was on hand to head the ball home with the keeper well stranded on the line. For once we had come from behind, and we managed to go to the break on level terms. Alan must have been reasonably pleased with the performance so far.

Bolton, having been booed off the pitch by their "loyal" supporters (shades of our own supporters I guess) came out for the second half looking a much better side, and it was only good keeping from Alex Kolinko that kept us in the game when both Per Frandsen and Gareth Farrelly went far too close for comfort.

Bolton were not to be denied though, and with only 15 minutes left on the clock they went back into the lead. Ian Marshall advanced on goal, and though his effort was blocked by Alex the rebound found Michael Ricketts who duly scored his eighth goal of the season. Within a minute or two they extended their lead when Bo Hansen found Frandsen on the edge of the area, and his rocket like shot sailed into the top corner of the net, leaving Alex with absolutely no chance to react.

It looked as though the match was all over bar the shouting, and though Bolton relaxed the pressure, the match, with only three minutes to go, still remained at 3-1 to the home team. They hadn't counted on Dougie still being hungry for goals though, and he was once again in position at the far post to pull back a goal with a simple tap into the back of the net.

Deep into injury time it was Clinton Morrison that had the last laugh. Steve Staunton got a pass through to Julian Gray, who made a great run before slipping a cross into the centre. Morrison was on hand to bury the ball in the back of the net, and somehow, out of a hopeless situation, Palace had actually managed to pull a point out of the game.

It hardly bears reporting that Alan Smith was happy with the teams performance, though he will be looking critically on Wednesday when we meet high flying Premiership side Leicester City.

Colin Pryce

Bolton Wanderers: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Gudni Bergsson, Mark Fish, Robbie Elliott, Per Frandsen, Bo Hansen, Ricardo Gardner, Kevin Nolan (Michael Ricketts 56), Anthony Barness (Isaiah Rankin 79), Simon Charlton (Gareth Farrelly 42), Ian Marshall.

Substitutes not used: Steve Banks, Franck Passi.

Crystal Palace: Alex Kolinko, Dean Austin, Hayden Mullins, Simon Rodger, Dougie Freedman, Clinton Morrison, Tommy Black, Andrejs Rubins (Julian Gray 76), Jamie Pollock, Steve Staunton, Andy Morrison (Mikael Forssell 81).

Substitutes not used: Jamie Smith, Wayne Carlisle.

Attendance: 12,879

Referee: Mr P Danson (Leicester).