LOKOMOTIV PLOVDIV 1, WANDERERS 2: Wanderers survived a big scare before finally easing through to the group stages of the UEFA Cup.

Wanderers fought back from a goal down with an own goal and a sharp finish from Kevin Nolan on 85 minutes in this first round second leg in Bulgaria.

Wanderers had equalised with a freak own goal to go 3-2 ahead on aggregate with just over 10 minutes remaining.

The vital goal came when defender Aleksandar Tunchev deflected a cross past his own keeper with no Wanderers player in the danger area.

It was a welcome relief for Wanderers who were staring a UEFA Cup exit in the face after conceding a long range strike from Georgi Iliev on 51 minutes.

The start of the second half was delayed as the teams were greeted by a line of flares being held up by a number of Lokomotiv fans, while several firecrackers were also thrown.

The early exchanges suggested the pattern of the first half would be repeated over the second, only for a bolt from the blue to stun Bolton.

Stelio lost possession midway inside his own half, but even at that stage there appeared little danger as Iliev sized up his options almost 25 yards from goal.

He chose to let fly with one deft swing of his right boot, the ball curling away from Walker and arrowing into the top left-hand corner of the net.

With Bolton now needing to chase the game, Allardyce made a double substitution in the 56th minute, with Kevin Nolan and Kevin Davies on for Fernandes and Borgetti.

Plovdiv's goal at the Reebok in the first round meant they were in front on the away goal rule at this stage.

HALF-TIME REPORT:

WANDERERS' are close to achieving manager Sam Allardyce's goal in reaching the group stages of the UEFA Cup after an encouraging first-half in Bulgaria on Thursday teatime.

Allardyce said, ahead of the first round second leg clash on the Black Sea resort of Burgas: "We're fit and more than capable of getting a result."

Despite seven alterations to the line-up that faced Portsmouth on Saturday, Wanderers enjoyed a trouble-free opening half.

There were first starts for Jared Borgetti, Fabrice Fernandes and Joey O'Brien, while goalkeeper Ian Walker made his debut, but the former England international never had a save to make.

The first chance of the match fell to Aleksandar Tunchev - but his header from Georgi Ilievs free-kick failed to test Ian Walker.

Play swung from one end to the other early on, with Okocha heavily involved in proceedings, but neither goalkeeper was called on to make a save.

Joey O'Brien was penalised for fouling Krasimir Dimitrov in the 17th minute - and two minutes later the hosts won another free-kick when Tal Ben Haim fouled Robert Petrov five yards outside the Bolton penalty area.

Iliev was again given responsibility with the dead ball - but his ball into the box did not break for the hosts and Bolton were able to clear.

The visitors first chance came in the 23rd minute and fell to El-Hadji Diouf - but the striker fired over the bar with his left foot.

Chances were proving hard to come by, with the next not materialising until the 29th minute, and then only a half one for Fernandes who cleared the crossbar by a few yards with a half-volley from just outside the area.

When N'Gotty's poor 33rd-minute backpass put Walker in trouble and the former England international could only slice the ball away for a corner, Bolton were forced into a rare moment of danger.

From the inswinging delivery there was a half-hearted appeal for handball against Faye, but Finnish referee Jouni Hyytia was unmoved.

The best opportunity of the half came two minutes before the break with Ivan Krizmanich narrowly heading over the bar a Krasimir Dimitrov corner as Lokomotiv ended the opening period strongly.

Match officials

Referee:

Jouni Hyyti (FIN)

Assistant referee:

Lassi Lahti (FIN) Jouko konen (FIN)

Fourth official:

Mikko Vuorela (FIN)

Preview

MORE than 1,500 Wanderers fans were in Bulgaria to cheer on their heroes when the great European adventure continued.

The players flew out on Wednesday while three more planeloads left Manchester Airport on Thursday morning.

The match was switched to the Naftex Stadium in the Black Sea port of Burgas, where Plovdiv have been forced to stage the game because their own ground does not meet UEFA requirements.

The next match

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