Loading...UC: Rabotnicki Kometal 1-1 Bolton
Group A
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Bolton rode their luck in their UEFA Cup first-round, first-leg clash with Macedonian side Rabotnicki and secured a 1-1 draw thanks to Abdoulaye Meite's first goal of the season.
It came seven minutes from time and may just act as a catalyst to kick-start their troubled season.
Bolton were heading for their sixth defeat in seven games when Meite toe-poked the ball home after goalkeeper Filip Madzovski had fumbled a free-kick from Nicolas Anelka.
Manager Sammy Lee reverted to 4-4-2 in a bid to change things around with Kevin Davies returning to partner Anelka.
But it was Nemanja Milisavlevic who sent the hosts into raptures with his goal in the 53rd minute.
Bolton, the bottom club in the Premier League, struggled to assert their authority.
Not for the first time this season the defence looked vulnerable when Rabotnicki went on the counter-attack.
They almost opened the scoring in the 24th minute when goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen spilled a shot from Nderim Nedzipi but Ivan Trickovski was unable to take advantage.
Bolton had plenty of possession but created only half-chances in front of 500 travelling supporters.
Davies got clear of his marker in the 27th minute but failed to test the goalkeeper with his header following a corner from El-Hadji Diouf.
The Senegal international squandered a good chance five minutes later when he got on the end of Kevin Nolan's mis-hit shot.
Diouf was clear on goal but seemed startled and sent his effort high over the crossbar.
Bolton were stepping up the pressure and Davies got on the end of a free-kick from Nicky Hunt in the 35th minute but Madzovski was equal to his header.
Anelka should have put Bolton ahead on the stroke of half-time when he latched onto a pass from Gary Speed. He rounded the goalkeeper but sent his effort into the side-netting.
Trickovski then got clear a minute into the second half but he failed to put enough weight on his effort and Jaaskelainen made a comfortable save.
Bolton responded but Speed's header following a flick-on from Davies was easily fielded by Madzovski.
Anelka wriggled clear in the area in the 52nd minute only for Lazar Stanisic to make a crucial block and Bolton were stunned a minute later when Milisavlevic opened the scoring.
He showed a cool head to rifle a shot into the corner after Trickovski had lofted the ball over a flat-footed Gerald Cid.
Speed headed wide of the post five minutes later following a free-kick from Diouf.
However, Rabotnicki almost grabbed a second in the 59th minute after a long ball from the back by Ertan Demiri.
Trickovski got a good touch but clipped his effort narrowly over the crossbar after Jaaskelainen had raced off his line.
Bolton were stung and Diouf raced forward in the 64th minute only to see his effort deflected to safety.
Meite then should have done better when Diouf delivered a precise cross but cleared the crossbar with his header.
Nolan sent a volley wide for Bolton and Anelka headed over as they went in search of an equaliser.
It finally came in the 83rd minute through Meite. He could hardly hide his delight as his last and only goal last season came in February.
Bolton pressed for the winner but had to settle for a share of the spoils on the night. However, they should go into the second leg with confidence.
Full Report: Soccernet.com
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