By Alan Duffy
Bolton Wanderers – Queens Park Rangers – Premier League – 10th March 2012
A rather dismal start to this relegation clash was brought to life by a major cock-up courtesy of the officials. With 20 minutes of the rather mediocre encounter gone, Clint Hill’s header from close-range went over the line by at least a couple of feet before Bolton ‘keeper Adam Bogdan scooped it back out. However, both ref Martin Atkinson and lino Bob Pollock missed the goal, much to the chagrin (a great word) of Hill and Rangers.
To make matters worse (and Mark Hughes even more bitter), the Trotters scored just 17 minutes later, courtesy of Darren Pratley, who headed home after a well-worked free-kick.
However, after the break, Rangers were soon back in the game, courtesy of a fine finish from Djibril Cissé. The Frenchman looked to be offside, with the other lino Jake Collin cocking up this time, however the goal did rather re-balance the scales of justice.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Owen Coyle sent on Bolton’s top-scorer Ivan Klasnic to snatch a winner, and on 86 minutes, the striker was put through by man of the match Ryo Miyaichi and he finished superbly.
Rangers, however, were on the end of another piece of rough justice, when Nedum Onuoha was fouled in the box, only for Atkinson to miss it again.
The Trotters move out of the drop-zone, while for the unlucky Rangers, they now find themselves with a bottom three berth.
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Photos: PA