The battle of the Wanderers finished all square at the Reebok Stadium, as DJ's team were just 5 minutes away from their first premiership win.

Fat stat and Mrs Stat were hoping for 3 points for their birthday present today, but unfortunately one lapse in defence saw Wolves lose two points rather than gain one. Saint Jack watched from the directors' box, his first game since announcing his decision to sell the club. A decision I feel is somewhat off timing wise, however I am not one to criticise someone who has done so much for Wolverhampton Wanderers - got a spare £30M Fat Stat?

Wolves have not won away at Bolton since March 1994 and the odds were well and truly stacked against a team struggling rooted at the bottom of the league with few points and few goals for. A bright afternoon greeted the players and anticipation of a hard fought game was evident. Bolton v Wolves games are always fiercely contested both on and off the pitch!

Irwin, Ince, Butler and Newton all returned to the starting line up as Wolves hoped to build upon their confidence boosting (if not the prettiest football played) win over Darlo last Tuesday night. Also a sight for sore eyes was the return of Kenny Miller albeit to the bench to begin with.

Bolton started as expected - quickly forcing an early corner - but the game soon developed into a scrappy affair as Wolves took control of the first half and pressed forward, hoping to catch Bolton on the break. A Cameron through ball found Kennedy but just as he was about to shoot the goalie smothered the ball at his feet. Oakes was quick off his line as a chip over the static Wolves defence almost found a Bolton forward. Just moments later Wolves were awarded a free kick 25 yards out, but Irwin's attempt was easily blocked by the Bolton "Wall". Then Wolves forced their first corner, only for the keeper to punch the ball clear - why do we get excited over corners when we hardly ever score from them?

Wolves were now enjoying the majority of the play and went close in the 21st minute when Iversen volleyed wide. A little later a clash of heads between Thome and Iversen (as he seemed to head the back of Thome's head) saw play held up as it clearly hurt the lone Wolves striker. On 25 mins a silly back pass by Naylor fell well short and only the quick thinking of Oakes denied a certain Bolton goal.

Things changed for the better on 30 mins as Wolves ended their premiership goal drought (of 8 hours, 19 mins) with a cracker from Rae. Kennedy's low corner hoofed clear only for the ball to fall to Rae, who from 30 yards out unleashed an excorcet which broke the back of the Bolton net. A superb strike into the top corner to be a contender for goal of the season, never mind goal of the month. Bolton 0 Wolves 1 This goal was the first Bolton had conceded in 5 premiership games (after their drubbing by Manure) and it added extra spice to the game as tackles now flew in thick, fast and hard.

Bolton pushed forward and Wolves almost benefited from this as Kennedy skipped away only for a very timely intervention from a Bolton defender to deny him. Several Bolton players were booked as their frustrations overflowed. The half finished as Wolves deservedly held on to their lead. The Bolton players going off for their half time cup of tea with resounding boos from their fans.

Half Time Bolton 0 Wolves 1

Wolves fans cheered their team back onto the pitch as they sensed a famous victory, helped on with Miller replacing the injured Iversen (who hadn't fully recovered from his head butt!).

Wolves started the half the brightest with fine Miller run and then Newton almost finding his way through the packed defence. The play was end-to-end stuff as Bolton tried to find a way back whilst Wolves found themselves full of passion and determination for the first time in the Premiership.

As the game went on Bolton began to take over and seemed to have a succession of corners. Wolves seemed to be dealing with things, putting plenty of old gold shirts behind the ball as they looked to get their first premiership win. Bolton, with 30 mins left, played their last trick and brought on two substitutions. One of these subs was Jardel who was among the many players sought by Wolves only for the player to go elsewhere. Jardel had apparently been put on the "Atkins diet" and he had shed two stone and was looking much fitter than he previously had.

Wolves resorted to attacking on the break and it almost worked. Cameron sprinted clear, only for the goalie to make a desperate clearance which fell to Miller. Miller's clever hooked shot was cleared almost from the line by a desperate lunging Nolan. At the other end Bolton forced corner after corner, but the Wolves defence seemed more than capable of clearing any danger.

However on 85 mins, the up to now competent Wolves defence were left sleeping as a throw in just past the half way line found Davies who was given far too much time to hook the ball home from 10 yards out. Bolton 1 Wolves 1 A bitter blow to Wolves who had coped with a barrage of Bolton attacks. Kachloul replaced Newton, but had precious little time to show what he is capable of.

At the end of the day this was probably a fair result as Wolves had the better of the first half whilst Bolton edged the second half. At 3pm if you would have said it would be a 1-1 draw then I would have gratefully accepted it, but - with a little more luck - Wolves could have been off the bottom of the Premiership for the first time. This was an encouraging game and lets hope that it can be the springboard for some decent results in the next few games.

Sorry Fat Stat that your birthday didn't have the present you wanted, but at least we can gain some comfort from the performance.

Full Time Bolton 1 Wolves 1