Bolton Wanderers - 1 Tranmore - 2:There was a time when being beaten by a team from two divisions down in this round was a sackable offence. Judging by the attitude of the Bolton manager Sam Allardyce, however, defeat by Tranmere Rovers last night would have been almost a cause for congratulation.
So it was hard to know whether to cheer or jeer when the Bolton side Allardyce put out, largely of reserves and academy players, went behind to an 86th minute goal from Eugene Dadi. But as Allardyce was presumably starting to celebrate his side's exit, Bolton sub Ricky Shakes levelled with a deflected strike to take the tie into extra time.
However, Tranmere needed only one minute of extra-time to regain the lead and victory thanks to a blistering shot from Iain Hume. Hendrik Pedersen should have pulled Bolton level but headed wide.
While a club that shows such lack of regard for the cup hardly deserves a part in it, there was no denying it was tempting to want Bolton to go if only to see Allardyce in a quandary. This is a man who rates not only the Premiership but the League Cup, in which his club has reached the semi-finals, as more important than the FA Cup.
The first half of normal time was dross, not helped by Tranmere stringing five across the back. There were three fair chances in the first half; Dave Beresford headed wide and Hume shot wide for Rovers, and Pedersen drove a free-kick against the post. It was the arrival for the second half of Kevin Nolan for Mario Jardel which brought the home fans to life as Bolton began to play with some purpose.
Guardian Service
BOLTON WANDERERS: Poole, Barness, Livesey, Comyn-Platt, Smith, Giannakopoulos (Shakes 86), Frandsen, Facey (Taylor 79), Pedersen, Jardel (Nolan 45), Vaz Te. Subs Not Used: Ricketts, Talbot. Goal: Shakes 90.
TRANMERE ROVERS: Achterberg, Sharps, Allen, Harrison, Taylor, Jones, Mellon, Beresford (Hay 97), Roberts, Dadi, Hume. Subs Not Used: Connelly, Howarth, Navarro, Linwood. Booked: Jones. Goals: Dadi 82, Hume 91.
Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).
