BOLTON moved out of the Premiership's bottom three for the first time since early January as they cruised to a 5-2 victory over already-relegated Crystal Palace. The atmosphere at the Reebok Stadium was electric and, within seven minutes, so was the action on the pitch. Jimmy Phillips attempted to find top-scorer Nathan Blake with a long ball down the left, but defender Paul Warhurst got there before the Welsh international. Warhurst went down as he attempted to clear, though, and Blake pounced on the error and raced into the area. Goalkeeper Kevin Miller got a hand to the shot, but was unable to prevent Bolton's opener. It took Palace just a minute to hit back, though. Former player-coach Attilio Lombardo rolled the ball to former Bolton man Sasa Curcic, who moved it on for Dean Gordon to shoot into the top-left corner. The tempo continued to rise and, in the 16th minute, doomed Palace took the lead. Marcus Bent collected the ball in what seemed an innocuous position but the defence backed off and he unleashed a 25-yard stunner into the roof of the net. That goal only got the home crowd more fired-up, and their support was rewarded just three minutes later when Mark Fish rose on the crowded six-yard line to head Bolton back level. Goals were flowing thick and fast and, on the half-hour, Phillips produced a strike which deserves to keep his team in the Premiership. The full-back found Per Frandsen on the edge of the area and raced into the box for the return ball. Two defenders blocked the Dane's path, but he cleverly lifted the ball back to Phillips, who cushioned it on his chest before swivelling and crashing home a terrific volley to round off an exhilarating first half. The opening 25 minutes of the second period were deathly dull in comparison to the non-stop action of the first half, although on-loan striker Bob Taylor received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Dean Holdsworth in the 54th minute. In the 73rd minute, Bent was booked for fouling Blake on the edge of the area and Frandsen and John Sheridan worked the set-piece between them before Alan Thompson drilled the ball home. Six minutes later, victory was absolutely secured when Thompson crossed from the left for £3.5m man Holdsworth to net only his third goal of the season. With seven minutes remaining, Palace defender Valerian Ismael was sent off after picking up his second booking for a poor challenge on Blake, but Bolton were already home and dry. If Everton lose at Arsenal, Bolton's Premiership fate will be in their own hands - a remarkable feat for a side viewed as nailed-on certainties for the drop since Christmas. BOLTON: Branagan, Cox, Fish, Thompson, Phillips, Bergsson, Sheridan (Johansen 89), Taggart, Frandsen, Blake (Salako 83), Taylor (Holdsworth 54) Subs Not Used: Jaaskelainen, Todd Booked: Bergsson, Frandsen CRYSTAL PALACE: Miller, Edworthy, Gordon, Curcic, Lombardo (Shipperley 75), Warhurst, Bent, Ismael, Hreidarsson, Fullarton, Jansen Subs Not Used: Nash, Dyer, Rodger, Smith. Sent Off: Ismael (82) Booked: Fullarton, Ismael, Hreidarsson, Bent Att: 24,449 Ref: NS Barry (Scunthorpe)

BRAVE BARNSLEY GO DOWN FIGHTING Leicester City 1 Barnsley 0   BRAVE Barnsley's Premiership fairytale finally ended at Filbert Street with Theo Zagorakis netting his first goal for Leicester to condemn Danny Wilson's side to an immediate return to the Nationwide League. The £750,000 signing from PAOK Salonika made sure it was a real Greek tragedy for the Tykes with his 57th minute winner. Many of the Barnsley players were in tears at the end of the match, but defeat did not silence the travelling fans who have cheered their heroes throughout this season. Even the home supporters applauded Barnsley, whose rags to riches story has been one of the highlights of the Premiership season. Both sides - with Barnsley struggling against relegation and Leicester chasing a European place - failed to create any notable chances in a strangely subdued first half. But sadly, the visitors' downfall was once again their brittle defence. They have now conceded goals in 17 of their last 18 games. Leicester should have gone ahead after 55 minutes when an incredible five players sprung Barnsley's fragile offside trap, only for Emile Heskey to head tamely at keeper David Watson and waste the best chance of the game. The Tykes failed to heed the warning and, two minutes later, fell behind after Muzzy Izzet and Steve Guppy combined to set up Zagorakis to slot into an empty net. Only then did Barnsley come to life. Their best chance came after 65 minutes when Jan-Aage Fjortoft got the better of Matt Elliott but blasted over from 15 yards. But it was too little too late and their faint hopes were completely dashed when Jovo Bosancic was sent off with five minutes left. The substitute had been booked on 72 minutes and his foul on Zagorakis earned another yellow from referee Dermot Gallagher. LEICESTER: Keller, Savage, Guppy, Walsh, Elliott, Cottee (Fenton 83), Izzet, Lennon, Zagorakis, Marshall, Heskey Subs Not Used: Arphexad, Campbell, Wilson BARNSLEY: Watson, Eaden, Moses, De Zeeuw, Redfearn, Marcelle, Jones (Bullock 59), Tinkler (Bosancic 56), Barnard, Ward, Fjortoft (Liddell 69) Subs Not Used: Sheridan, Leese Sent Off: Bosancic (85) Booked: Barnard, De Zeeuw, Redfearn Att: 21,293 Ref: DJ Gallagher (Banbury)

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