Dindane double denies Bolton joy of safety

Posted Sunday, April 25, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

BOLTON, England (AFP) - Aruna Dindane scored twice as already relegated Portsmouth came from two goals behind in a 2-2 draw that prevented Bolton Wanderers securing their Premier League status on Saturday.

Only a freakish combination of results are likely to deny Bolton top-flight survival this term but manager Owen Coyle will be unhappy his side failed to put the issue beyond doubt in front of their own fans at the Reebok Stadium.

Bolton were cruising at 2-0 up after two goals in three first half minutes from Ivan Klasnic and Kevin Davies.

But FA Cup finalists Pompey hit back after half time thanks to Ivory Coast forward Dindane's double.

Bolton, now eight points above the relegation zone, could have had three goals before Klasnic struck but were denied by a trio of superb saves from England goalkeeper David James.

However, Klasnic broke the deadlock in the 26th minute when he headed in Jack Wilshere's cross.

And minutes later Davies had doubled Bolton's lead after he was left with an easy finish after a superb 50-yard run and cross from Vladimir Weiss that saw the on-loan Slovakian beat a couple of Pompey players.

Bolton then started to relax and Portsmouth punished the Trotters with two goals in 15 second half minutes.

Pompey's first goal came after Richard Hughes robbed Wilshere on the edge of the Pompey box.

Michael Brown fed John Utaka and a length-of-the-field move ended with Dindane mis-hitting substitute Frederic Piquionne's pull-back past goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

And the match was all square in the 68th minute when Gary Cahill was beaten to a ball inside the box by Utaka, whose cross was turned in from close range by Dindane.