Anelka proves Bolton's supersub
Substitute Nicolas Anelka saved Bolton's blushes by scoring the winner against the unfancied Macedonians last night.
The France striker's first act after coming off the bench was to loop a header over goalkeeper Tome Pacouski in the 68th minute following a cross from fellow sub Stelios.
Bolton Wanderers goalscorer, Nicolas Anelka is congratulated by his team mates
But Sammy Lee's side will have to do better than this if they are to lift their gloom in the Premier League.
Bolton chairman Phil Gartside put last night's tie in perspective in his programme notes, emphasising that the League is the club's 'bread and butter'.
So it was little surprise that Lee made seven changes to the team that drew at Derby County.
With Chelsea next up at the Reebok on Sunday, it was perhaps the wisest course of action.
However, he did have big guns Anelka and El Hadji Diouf on the bench.
Babatounde Adekunle caused Bolton problems all night
Jussi Jaaskelainen almost misjudged a 10th-minute, 30-yard shot from Rabotnicki skipper Nderim Nedzipi.
Seeing the ball late through a ruck of bodies, he just managed to steer it around the post.
At the other end, Liverpool trainee Danny Guthrie forced Pacouski into a save with a snap shot and then sent over a corner which was met by epic Greeks a firm header from Kevin Davies but the ball was hacked off the line.
Chances go begging: Stelios reacts after seeing another missed opportunity
When Davies was withdrawn, it was left to Anelka to steal the glory.
BOLTON (4-5-1): Jaaskelainen; J O'Brien, A O'Brien, Michalik, Cid; Braaten (Diouf 75min), Guthrie, McCann, Alonso (Stelios 46), Wilhelmsson; Davies (Anelka 66).
RABOTNICKI (4-5-1): Pacouski; Adekunle (Bozinovski 75), Kovacevic, Vajs, Stanisic; Milisavlevic, Demiri, Gligorov, Nedzipi, Osmani (Velkovski 46); Trickovski (Pejcic 63). Booked: Stanisic, Vajs, Gligorov, Kovacevic, Bozinovski.
Man of the match: Danny Guthrie. Referee: Tommy Skerven (Norway).
