FAN'S VIEWby Alex Sankey

MICHAEL Ricketts' audacious backheel gave Wanderers a richly deserved last minute equaliser to earn a point against Everton in an incident-packed derby encounter.

The match started well for Wanderers with Per Frandsen converting a quickly-taken free kick in the 10th minute only to see the lead snatched away in the closing minutes of the first half with an Alan Stubbs piledriver from an Everton free kick.

And when Paul Gascoigne gave Everton the lead in the 57th minute with a well-placed shot, Bolton's prospects looked bleak.

With Jussi Jaaskelainen injured in the pre-match warm-up, Simon Charlton lost to injury, Djibril Diawara sent off for a second bookable offence and the industrious Rod Wallace seeing a tremendous effort rebound off the bar - one of a number of Everton escapes - it is fair to say that as the match approached the closing stages, Wanderers had not enjoyed a single break.

But once again Sam's substitutions paid dividends.

Gareth Farrelly provided guile and creativity in midfield and Dean Holdsworth displayed determination and resolve in abundance. In fact Deano epitomises the spirit and fighting qualities that run throughout the club.

This was a massive point won by Wanderers against all the odds and it may prove absolutely vital in the context of the season as a whole.

The all-square league returns of results and goals is a terrific achievement and a real platform for ultimate success.

Once again Gudni Bergsson and Per Frandsen were outstanding and Kevin Poole - the Wanderers' seventh different keeper in nine months - gave a solid performance especially in view of the extraordinary circumstances of his debut.

Man of the Match: Mike Whitlow - another inspirational display. One last ditch tackle with the score at 1-2 was nothing short of sensational.