SAM Ashton was back training with his academy mates on Monday after making a fairy-tale appearance for his beloved Bolton Wanderers.

The 19-year-old kid from from Breighmet - a self-confessed Whites fanatic who sports a Wanderers tattoo on his arm - was the talk of the town when he was handed a shock debut in Saturday's FA Cup win at Watford.

It was head-spinning stuff for the former Withins School pupil, who was the envy of his pals as he raced on to play alongside the likes of Jay Jay Okocha, Ricardo Gardner and Stelios.

But the biggest surprise came when he went into attack and not in goal, which is where he plays for the club's academy.

"I was shocked," Ashton said. "Being a Bolton lad and getting on in that position - it really is a dream come true for me. I'm a Wanderers fanatic.

"I played outfield a few times when I was 16 and first joined the Academy as a keeper. I'm not a bad defender and actually I thought I was coming down as cover for the right-back position as well as goalkeeper, but I never thought I'd play up front.

"I was only on for two minutes and I didn't get a touch but I'll always be grateful to the manager for giving me a chance."

Allardyce, who had only 11 fit senior players to select from - apart from regular keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen who was rested - admitted he used Ashton out of sentiment, prompted by his coach, Jimmy Phillips, himself a Bolton-born Wanderer.

"I was a little bit soft-hearted," the manager said. "Jimmy told me Sam was the staunchest Bolton Wanderers fan you could ever wish to meet, so I just gave him a couple of minutes so that he could say that he had played for his club.

"Hopefully, in years to come, he can make it, but, just in case . . . !

"He's played outfield for the youth team a number of times but this was purely based on sympathy. It wasn't something I would normally do, but it was worth it, for somebody who loves Bolton Wanderers so much and who's proud to wear on his arm a massive Bolton Wanderers tattoo, to hear his friends in the crowd chanting his name."

So Big Sam's a big softy then?

"I'm not telling him that," Ashton said, sheepishly careful not to get on the wrong side of a manager whose public image is of a tough, hard-nosed character..

"I'd love to make it at the club one day, but it's been an honour for me and a dream come true.

"I thought before I went on that, if I got my chance, I'd take it. When it came, I had mixed emotions. I wasn't nervous but I had to hurry up and get ready, but once I got on it seemed like just a normal day. I just wish Ricardo Vaz Te had put me through and I'd scored!"