THE Wanderers fan who saved the day when he handed over his shirt to a star player this afternoon met his hero.

Loan Wanderer Lee Houghton finally got his shirt back after lending it to the club when they realised they were one short at Highbury.

The 34-year-old had the top returned after it was signed by midfielder Djibril Diawara, who wore it against Arsenal on Saturday.

Lee, of Thicketford Road, Tonge Park, shook hands with the player he helped out when he was invited to watch the squad train at Euxton.

Postman Lee, aged 34, loaned the blue Bolton away shirt he was wearing to Diawara, after the club forgot to pack him one for the top of the table clash.

Diawara was called in as a substitute at the last moment for injured Nicky Southall, so two Bolton staff went outside the famous Highbury Stadium to search for a Wanderers supporter wearing a replica shirt.

Soccer mad Lee came to the rescue and handed over his top. In the Highbury dressing room Diawara's name and number was ironed on to the shirt so he could run out with the rest of the team.

Today Lee met his heroes when Bolton presented him with his original shirt - complete with autographs - at their training ground at Euxton.

He said: "It was a weird feeling to see him run on, knowing he had my top on. I don't know what size Diawara is but I'm 14 stone and my shirt looked tight on him! I have met some of the players before but this is just fantastic."

Diawara, who signed for the Wanderers during the summer, came on as substitute as gallant 10-man Wanderers held on for a 1-1 draw after Ricardo Gardner was sent off.