Solskjaer grasps late equaliser

Bolton 1 Manchester United 1

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer grabbed a last-gasp goal for Manchester United today to earn a Barclaycard Premiership point at Bolton.

The home side looked on their way to three vital points in their relegation battle thanks to a header from Bruno N’Gotty – only to cave in at the end.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson made three changes against Bolton today to the side which defeated Juventus in midweek in the Champions League.

John O’Shea and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Mikael Silvestre and Paul Scholes, who are suffering from ankle and groin injuries respectively.

Juan Sebastian Veron, who has been troubled by an ankle injury, was also back in the team after missing the European match because of suspension. Nicky Butt dropped down to the bench.

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce handed a debut to defender Florent Laville, who is on loan from Lyon until the end of the season.

Allardyce named an attacking line-up, with Bernard Mendy told to link up with the forwards when his defensive duties allowed.

United were aiming to draw level on points with league leaders Arsenal - for a few hours at least.

But there was a scare for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side after just three minutes when Mendy whipped in a good ball from the right. The cross just evaded striker Henrik Pedersen, though.

Bolton broke forward again in the ninth minute and Ivan Campo sent a shot high over the bar from inside the area after Simon Charlton had nodded on a corner from Youri Djorkaeff.

David Beckham tried to get United going and slipped a nice ball into the path of Gary Neville, who went on a run downfield, but his touch let him down.

Then Djorkaeff, such an inspirational figure for Bolton, rattled in a 25-yard shot, only to see it comfortably taken by goalkeeper Fabien Barthez.

Barthez had to look alert in the 16th minute to tip away an inswinging free-kick from Djorkaeff after Roy Keane had tripped Ricardo Gardner.

Bolton were having the majority of possession in the early stages, and Okocha tried to release Pedersen only to slightly over-hit the pass.

Then Mendy broke down the right but under pressure from Keane fired his effort over the bar, with Pedersen in a good position in the area.

Okocha was full of running – not to mention flicks and tricks – and the crowd were loving it.

United found themselves on the back foot in the 35th minute when Gardner skipped away from Wes Brown, but his finish was wayward.

Then Campo strode forward and latched on to a crossfield pass from Djorkaeff. But he failed to trouble Barthez with his effort.

Okocha just cleared the bar with a powerful shot before Brown squandered a good chance of making the breakthrough for United.

He got away from his marker a minute before half time when Beckham delivered the corner, only to head over from four yards.

United manager Ferguson decide to keep things as they were at the start of the second half, despite a poor opening 45 minutes.

Veron and Giggs both looked off the pace, and Bolton had been able to run the midfield.

The game attracted a crowd of 27,409 – a record for the Reebok Stadium.

The home fans were on their feet in the 52nd minute when Djorkaeff tried to play a one-two inside the area with Pedersen, only for O’Shea to intercept.

Barthez then showed marvellous reflexes in the 53rd minute to turn away a wayward header from Brown after Campo had flicked on a long throw from Okocha.

United manager Ferguson decide to keep things as they were at the start of the second half, despite a poor opening 45 minutes.

Veron and Giggs both looked off the pace, and Bolton had been able to run the midfield.

The game attracted a crowd of 27,409 – a record for the Reebok Stadium.

The home fans were on their feet in the 52nd minute when Djorkaeff tried to play a one-two inside the area with Pedersen, only for O’Shea to intercept.

Barthez then showed marvellous reflexes in the 53rd minute to turn away a wayward header from Brown after Campo had flicked on a long throw from Okocha.

Okocha conjured up another piece of magic in the 74th minute with a double-shuffle and a searing shot which Barthez did well to tip over.

The tiring Djorkaeff came off in the 85th minute and was replaced by Kevin Nolan.

He was hardly a welcome sight for United, because he scored the winner at Old Trafford earlier in the season.

United grabbed a point by drawing level in the 89th minute. Solskjaer got in ahead of N’Gotty to score at the near post following a cross from Beckham.