Bolton undone by Heskey's late decider

Emile Heskey could not have timed his first goal of the season better as far as Liverpool are concerned.

The much-criticised England forward settled this see-saw affair just two minutes from the end after Bolton, who were fresh from Wednesday's win over Manchester United, had twice come from behind.

Asked by Gerard Houllier to plough a lonely furrow down the left as he done for Sven-Goran Eriksson and England, Heskey has seemed out of sorts so far this term. But the power and precision he undoubtedly has were very much in evidence as he cut in and raced through to claim three points for Liverpool. But this was a less than convincing display by the Merseyside club.

Both sides started without their biggest goal threats. Michael Ricketts, having picked up a knock during the triumph at Old Trafford, failed a fitness test for Bolton with veteran Dean Holdsworth replacing him but more of a surprise was the omission of Michael Owen from the visitors' line-up. Presumably his delicate hamstrings were being preserved with the tough Champions League trip to Valencia on Tuesday in mind. In any event, Owen took his seat on the substitutes' bench alongside El-Hadji Diouf, who had been similarly rested.

Liverpool were also without Stephane Henchoz at the back through injury and the Swiss centre-back's stabilising influence was soon missed as Salif Diao conceded a free-kick in front of goal with a rash challenge on Henrik Pedersen. But Per Frandsen squandered the opportunity by taking the kick too hastily.

Further pressure saw Heskey penalised for bringing down Kevin Nolan, Bolton's goalscoring hero three days earlier, on the right-hand edge of the box although the ball seemed to have been won cleanly. This time Youri Djorkaeff squared the ball to Ricardo Gardner only for the Jamaican international to slice well wide.

Liverpool's continuing discomfort was reflected in a booking for Dietmar Hamann for bundling over the impressive Djorkaeff whose corner soon after fell kindly for Frandsen whose low volley ricocheted clear off a defender's leg.

As half-time approached sitters were missed at both ends, Holdsworth failing to connect with Gardner's inviting cross and, straight from the breakaway, Milan Baros hitting a post when it looked easier to score.

Baros made up for this lapse in spectacular style in first-half stoppage time as he lashed a powerful right-footer past Jussi Jaaskelainen following a clever dummy by Bruno Cheyrou. But Liverpool scarcely deserved their lead.

Baros, the 20-year-old Czech making his first start for Liverpool following a £3.5million move last December, went close again moments after the re-start, Jaaskelainen parrying his fierce effort before the home side levelled matters on 55 minutes. Holdsworth's presence was enough to unsettle Liverool's jittery rearguard and the ball span off into the path of Gardner who tucked it neatly past Jerzy Dudek..

The equaliser was merited but Wanderers failed to use it as a platform for further raids. Allowed a little more time on the ball, Houllier's side were always likely to exploit the extra ingredient of quality they possessed. Steven Gerrard did just by carving out the opening that put them back in front after 70 minutes.

Little danger seemed to be posed as he received the ball just outside the area on the right. But he smartly eluded a tackle before deftly chipping beyond substitute Ivan Campo for Baros to slide in his second at the far post.

Campo, on a season's loan from Real Madrid, was making his home debut for Bolton and partially redeemed himself three minutes from time by sneaking up on the blind side of the opposing defence to knock in Nolan's cross.

The delight of the Bolton faithful was short-lived indeed, Heskey clinching victory within a minute after fine work by Danny Murphy and John Arne Riise.

Match details

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Barness (Livesey 30), Bergsson, Whitlow (Campo 45), Charlton, Nolan, Frandsen, Gardner, Djorkaeff (Walters 75), Dean Holdsworth, Pedersen.
Subs Not Used: Poole, Okocha.
Booked: Bergsson, Gardner.
Goals: Gardner 54, Campo 87.

Liverpool: Dudek, Diao, Hyypia, Carragher, Traore, Murphy, Gerrard, Hamann, Heskey, Baros, Cheyrou (Riise 85).
Subs Not Used: Diouf, Owen, Berger, Kirkland.
Booked: Hamann, Baros.
Goals: Baros 45, 72, Heskey 88.
Att: 27,328
Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).

© Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited