Benni strikes late to save Bolton

BENNI McCARTHY spared Sam Allardyce his first defeat as Blackburn boss as his former club Bolton threw away a two-goal half-time cushion.

Rovers were totally inept for the opening 65 minutes, with Matt Taylor and Kevin Davies on the scoresheet before half-time.

But after Stephen Warnock gave Blackburn a lifeline, McCarthy made amends for missing a penalty by poaching an 87th-minute equaliser to leave Big Sam unbeaten.