Bolton battle back to halt Blackpool charge

In-form Bolton battled back from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw against Premier League surprise package Blackpool at the Reebok stadium Saturday.

Two goals from corners from defender Ian Evatt and striker Luke Varney looked to be enough for the Tangerines, but late goals from winger Martin Petrov and midfielder Mark Davies ensured the points were shared.

Bolton now sit three points off fourth spot, and Champions League qualification, while Blackpool have accumulated 19 points, almost half the 40 total considered necessary for survival.

Both teams were on a high after big wins last Saturday, and the confidence showed as the match started at a lively pace.

In-form Trotters’ striker Kevin Davies registered the first effort of note, but Richard Kingson in the away goal was equal to the England forward’s angled shot.

The Tangerines weathered a barrage, and had defender Stephen Crainey to thank for a last-ditch tackle which blocked winger Chung-Yong Lee’s goal-bound shot.

The visitors clawed their way back into the contest and had a good chance of their own when DJ Campbell found himself free on the edge of the area but defender Gary Cahill deflected the resulting shot wide.

‘Pool did break the deadlock on the half-hour mark when defender Evatt stole in to direct Elliot Grandin’s corner past a helpless Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Charlie Adam nearly claimed a goal-of-the-season shortly before the break when he beat Jaaskelainen with an audacious attempt from the half-way line, only to see it sail narrowly over the top.

Defender Neal Eardley pulled of a goal-saving interception to deny Kevin Davies, which became doubly important moments later when the away team scored a second.

In a carbon-copy of their first strike, Grandin whipped in another corner which was headed past Jaaskelainen, this time by forward Varney.

Kingson maintained the two-goal advantage in the 66th minute when he reacted sharply to parry away striker Johan Elmander’s firm drive.

Wanderer’s winger Petrov ensured a grandstand finish with a goal against the tide of Blackpool pressure.

The Bulgaria midfielder collected the ball from Mark Davies’ pass, turned and smashed the ball into the top corner.

One of the misses of the season denied Wanderers an equaliser shortly afterwards. Kingson parried away Mark Davies’s header but the ball fell to Kevin Davies, who inexplicably missed with the goal gaping.

The Trotters applied severe pressure, and Crainey was once again to the rescue when he cleared Petrov’s shot off the line.

Blackpool resistance was finally breached in the last minute when a stunning one-touch passing move ended with young midfielder Davies stroking a comfortable finish into the bottom corner.