Sammy Lee was not a happy man after this match which nearly saw his Bolton side defeated and needing a miracle to progress into the group stages of the UEFA Cup. The Bolton Manager had to rely on Abdoulaye Meite to score a late equaliser as his strikers fired blanks during the live football match.

Bolton knew that the atmosphere in the Macedonian team’s Skopje City Stadium would be hostile but that along with the willingness of the Kometal sides creativity meant a torrid night for all of the Bolton players and fans. Both of Bolton’s strikers, Anelka and Diouf had chances but could not convert them into an opening goal which the visitors so desperately needed.

Anelka had by far the best chance but unbelievably shot into the side netting with the goal mouth wide open and meant that the teams went into the break on level terms. That Bolton started the second half on level terms with the home team was more by luck than anything Bolton had done and their luck finally ran out on 53 when Kometal striker Milisavljevic met a cross in the penalty area which the Bolton defenders failed to deal with and scored past Bolton keeper Jaaskelainen.

Thankfully for Bolton the Macedonian side did not sit back on their lead and continued to push forward for a second goal. In part this led to Bolton being able to push forward into gaps and finally had a huge piece of luck when they were awarded a penalty just outside the area. Nicolas Anelka stepped up to take it to see the Kometal keeper Madzovski spill the ball allowing Meite who was following up to score a vital away goal on 84 and earn the side a draw. Despite having the advantage Lee will be aware that they have a hard second leg to come and will need to improve if they are to progress.