Anelka sees Bolton through

Bolton claimed a deserved 1-0 victory over Rabotnicki Kometal at The Reebok to make it into the group stages of the Uefa Cup.

Anelka strike sees Trotters progress

Bolton claimed a deserved 1-0 victory over Rabotnicki Kometal at The Reebok to make it into the group stages of the Uefa Cup. A classy header by substitute Nicolas Anelka just 80 seconds after he had come on proved the difference between the two teams and made it five games unbeaten for Bolton. Anelka scored the winner on 68 minutes when he rose at the back post to meet a Stelios Giannakopoulos cross. The 2-1 aggregate victory over the Macedonians eases the pressure on under-fire Bolton boss Sammy Lee. Danny Guthrie, on a season-long loan from Liverpool, was one of a handful of fringe players brought into the side and he emerged as an influential figure.

Guthrie produced a delightful flick in the centre circle after six minutes which allowed Mikel Alonso to stride forward at pace with the ball.

Alonso embarked on a strong run down the right flank and whipped in a teasing cross to the far post for Kevin Davies - but his outstretched boot failed to make any meaningful contact.

Moments later Rabotnicki skipper Nderim Nedzipi forced Jussi Jaaskelainen to turn the ball away for a corner with a swerving shot from 20 yards out.

In the 32nd minute Davies greeted Guthrie's right-wing corner with a firm header which a visiting defender hacked off the line to avert a certain goal.

Ten minutes before the break, Bolton again came desperately close to making the breakthrough and lift the growing tension.

Lazar Stanisic hauled down Braaten 25 yards from goal and Guthrie stepped up to whip in a fierce free-kick which drew a smart from Pacovski at his near post.

Lee replaced Alonso at the break with Stelios and the Greek winger wasted little time in making his presence felt.

In the 55th minute he latched on to a Davies flick before rounding Pacovski and hitting the outside of a post.

In the 66th minute Anelka replaced Davies and within two minutes he had found the back of the net.

Stelios did superbly well to fashion the space to send over a deep cross from the left flank and Anelka rose above Stanisic to nod home into the far corner.

Bolton played out the closing stages comfortably as they booked their place in the group stages.

Bolton Wanderers	Team Statistics	FK Rabotnicki
1	Goals	0
0	1st Half Goals	0
7	Shots on Target	1
8	Shots off Target	5
3	Blocked Shots	2
7	Corners	4
12	Fouls	24
1	Offsides	1
0	Yellow Cards	5
0	Red Cards	0
72.3	Passing Success	73
26	Tackles	28
84.6	Tackles Success	67.9
54.9	Possession	45.1
60.6	Territorial Advantage	39.4