Bolton beaten by Benni's brace

12 April 2012

Benni McCarthy boosted Blackburn's belated push into European contention with a 2-1 win over Bolton- but only after a dramatic twist had brought a dour Lancashire derby to life.

The South African kept his cool to fire spot-kicks low to Jussi Jaaskelainen's right in the 57th and 67th minutes before Bolton battled back to almost claim a point.

Nicolas Anelka found the net two minutes from time before an injury-time header from Abdoulaye Faye seemed to have brought the home side level - only for a linesman to flag for offside.

It was grim stuff between a Rovers side whose first intention must have been to make the short journey to avoid defeat, and a home side who harboured slim le realistic chance of playing in next season's Champions League.

Nicolas Anelka's persistence almost paid off for the home side in the 22nd minute when he got the better of Brett Emerton on the right but saw his dangerous cross bustled out of play by Ryan Nelsen.

Rovers went ahead through McCarthy's first spot-kick after Bentley was upended by Gary Speed and referee Rob Styles had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Bolton came agonisingly close to equalising immediately when Henrik Pedersen's low effort was booted off the line by Dunn before Nelsen turned the follow-up around the post.

But Rovers extended their lead when Styles had a clearer decision to make, Faye hauling down McCarthy and Jaaskelainen failing to save his resulting spot-kick despite getting a touch.

Anelka gave his side hope two minutes from time when Ricardo Vaz Te knocked on a long Jaaskelainen goal-kick to the Frenchman who swept the ball under Friedel.