Bolton agony in Marseille

Thursday, 23, Feb 2006 10:01

Bolton Wanderers crashed out of the Uefa Cup with a disappointing away defeat after they had taken the lead at Marseille.

After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, Stelios Giannakopoulos had given Bolton an unlikely lead but a Franck Ribery equaliser and a Tal Ben Haim own goal saw the Trotters slip to a 2-1 loss.

Jay-Jay Okocha almost scored for the visitors as early as the fifth minute as his free-kick hit the wall but remained on target and forced a good save from Fabian Barthez.

Marseille then upped the ante and created great chances for Samir Nasri and Habib Beye, who came close to making it 1-0.

On 25 minutes, the former Manchester United goalkeeper made a characteristic error. Okocha's long ball should have caused no danger, but Barthez made a hash of the clearance allowing Giannakopoulos to score.

The Greek was then beaten in the air by Ribery on the stroke of half time as Marseille forced their way back into the game.

The hosts were boosted by the goal and Jussi Jaaskelainen had to be on top form to prevent them from making it 2-1 before the break.

Bolton rallied in the second half but Marseille took the lead when Ben Haim diverted a Beye cross into his own net.

Bolton put the home side under pressure but Sam Allardyce's side failed to prevent their exit from their maiden European voyage.