BOLTON Wanderers have a new flying winger to entertain the crowds this season.

But hot shot Ricardo Gardner can rest because the club's new addition is -- a bat.

Liverpool fans spotted the airborne rodent flying over the away end at the Reebok Stadium during their 2-1 defeat at the hands of the mighty Whites.

Supporters said the bat was looking confused amid the noise of the 27,000 strong crowd.

It zig-zagged before the eyes of Liverpool fans for several minutes during the second half of the match before flying over the stand and into the night.

The sight also caught the attention of the large press pack assembled in the ground to see the Trotters' sensational win -- which put Bolton at the head of the Premiership.

Liverpool fan Simon Pringle, aged 29, said: "It was a bit of a surprise and I thought it was a bird at first.

"It looked quite dazed and confused really and came out as soon as it got a bit dark. Maybe it put the Liverpool players off. That would be a good excuse."

Rumours that Lofty the Lion was concerned by the appearance of the rival "mascot", however, were dismissed.

A spokesman for Bolton Wanderers said: "It's the first time we have had reports of a bat in the four years we have been here. We have no idea where it has come from or where it lives."