Keown error could prove costly for Arsenal

Bolton 2 Arsenal 2

Bolton 2 Arsenal 2

Arsenal's title hopes suffered a potentially fatal blow today when they squandered a two-goal lead to draw at Bolton.

The result leaves them two points behind Manchester United, who play Tottenham on Sunday.

For relegation-threatened Bolton, a point put them five points clear of West Ham, who currently occupy the last remaining drop spot.

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Bolton boss Sam Allardyce was delighted with his team's "magnificent comeback" but said the decision of referee Andy D'Urso to send-off Florent Laville for a second bookable offence in the 90th minute was "an absolute disgrace."

Allardyce added: "It was a magnificent comeback from our lads. We looked the likely winners at the end. David Seaman had to make more saves than Jussi Jaaskelainen."

However, Laville's dimissal clearly took some of the shine off an impressive result for Allardyce.

"Andy D'Urso's done us again. Two yellow cards for two free-kicks and getting sent-off is an absolute disgrace. I'm infuriated by that. My players have given their all and the referee's tried to take it away from us."

All the goals came in the second half, France duo Sylvain Wiltord and Robert Pires putting Arsenal in a commanding position. But Youri Djorkaeff pulled one back and from his free-kick Martin Keown headed into his own net six minutes from time.

After a scoreless first half, Arsenal eventually broke Bolton's resistance just two minutes into the second period. Thierry Henry beat Bruno N'Gotty down the left touchline, his pace taking him clear of the Bolton defence. His pull-back from the byline found compatriot Wiltord free inside the six yard-box and the striker eased the ball in.

Bolton tried to respond, England keeper David Seaman having to be alert to tip over Per Frandsen's looping header. But minutes later Arsenal had a second.

Ashley Cole won the ball out on the left and found Henry, who eluded a couple of Bolton defenders before finding Pires. And the midfielder's low curling 56th minute shot into Jaaskelainen's bottom left corner gave the Bolton shot-stopper no chance.

Arsenal defender Pascal Cygan limped off after an hour with a calf problem and Wenger had to bring Keown off the bench in a game where he was looking to rest the veteran defender, who has been suffering with a hamstring problem.

Soon after, Wenger saw Bolton get back into the game with a goal by Djorkaeff.

After Arsenal cleared a corner, Frandsen's shot from outside the box came back off the left post and Djorkaeff, following up, cleverly chipped the ball over Seaman to give Bolton a 74th minute lifeline.

Bolton almost equalised straight away but Henrik Pedersen just failed to get on the end of a long throw-in.

But the home side completed their revival in the 84th minute. From Djorkaeff's dangerous curling free-kick, Keown failed to make proper contact, the ball skimming off the top of his head and past a helpless Seaman.

Bolton then had midfielder Laville dismissed for a second yellow card after he was late with a challenge on Cole.