This was supposed to be the win that sends Bolton on a winning run towards Premiership safety. It was supposed to be Terry Venables' final game as manager as he was going to be sacked following a humiliating defeat at the Reebok so the script said. But as is so often with Bolton Wanderers Football Club, things didn't go the way they were supposed to.

Bolton started brightly and created a couple of chances, just as they have done in the early stages of several games this season. Leeds were being kept quiet and hadn't yet threatened Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal. Going to plan so far. But then it went back to normal. Bolton were on the back foot. Leeds scored with their first shot on goal. Leeds and England full back Danny Mills ran at a retreating Wanderers defence before cutting inside and delivering a blistering left foot strike to leave Jaaskelainen with no chance. Bolton 0 Leeds 1. After conceding a goal, most teams look to attack and instantly equalise. Bolton couldn't do this. Leeds continued to put pressure on and scored again barely four minutes after Mills' opener. A looping shot from the left wing from Ian Harte came into the area, Bruno N'Gotty left it for Jaaskelainen, Jaaskelainen left it for N'Gotty. The ball bounced of the crossbar, the rebound came in which could only be parried into the path of Robbie Fowler who was left with the simple task of knocking the ball over the unguarded line. Bolton tried to get back into the game and pushed forward. Wanderers were awarded a penalty after referee Graham Poll was alerted by his assistant to an Ian Harte handball in his own area. This was Bolton's chance to get back into the game. Who better to take the spot kick than the ever reliable World Cup winning Youri Djorkaeff? Surely a goal back for the Wanderers? It was not to be. Djorkaeff steered the ball towards Paul Robinson's right hand corner but the England Under 21 goalkeeper pulled off a stunning save to parry the ball onto the post and away to safety. Bolton were destroyed. Leeds were bouyant. Bolton continued to try and attack but their confidence was destroyed by their talisman's penalty miss. For the first time in months, Leeds were confident. They finally thought they were the Championship challengers that they were predicted as at the start of the season.

In the second half though, Leeds looked more like their League position. Danish midfielder Stig Tofting hit the crossbar with a thirty yarder. But Leeds stood firm. No matter what Bolton tried they couldn't score. A goalmouth scramble still didn't result in a goal for the Wanderers. At that point the Bolton fans thought it couldn't get any worse. But it did. Former Blackburn Rovers winger Jason Wilcox cut inside from the left wing to smash the ball home with his right foot. It was almost identical to Mills' goal earlier in the game with both scoring on their 'weaker' feet. The only sounds in the Reebok were the Leeds fans rejoicing and the sound of seats banging as thousands upon thousands of Bolton fans made their ways to the exits.

Bolton come up against bottom club West Ham United on Saturday. If Bolton win, then confidence will return. If they lose then many fans will get the road map out to Grimsby. Only time will tell if Bolton's defending will improve by Saturday.

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