SOCCER critic Mark Lawrenson paid for his losing bet on Wanderers on Football Focus.

The former Liverpool star was so sure the Whites would be relegated that he vowed to shave off his moustache on telly if they stayed in the Premiership.

Lawro, who has sported his famous lip-tickler for 25 years, told the Bolton Evening News: "I started experimenting with a moustache when I was 18 and liked it so much that I kept it -- until now. My only worry is that Sam, my two-year-old son, won't recognise me. My wife Suzi said I'll have to grow it back if a clean shave makes me look any uglier."

The soccer pundit made his hair-raising comments about Wanderers' survival chances on BBC1's Football Focus early in the season.

But his jibes, which were backed by a number of other critics, served only to galvanise manager Sam Allardyce and his team. Four fans challenged the soccer pundit to "put up or shut up" and said they would give £1,500 to Bolton Hospice if he promised to shave off his 'tache.

In less than 24 hours they and the rest of the Reebok faithful, joined by ex-pats in the United States, Australia and New Zealand, came up with the cash.

But after all their hard work -- and the team's success -- Mark says he will gladly go without face hair for the World Cup. He said: "I can't believe I'm going to be tache-less. To be honest I'm delighted that Wanderers avoided the drop. They put a lot of effort into their survival battle and they thoroughly deserve to stay up.

"When I made those comments earlier in the season I didn't realise the fuss it would cause. But it's all been good fun and I'll gladly shave off my 'tache if it raises some money for charity."

The £1,500 raised will now go to Lawro's chosen charity, the NSPCC.