Rivals smiling as Bolton earn Anfield point

Typically, Allardyce played down his own contribution and, instead, deflected the plaudits towards Liverpool-born Nolan, rapidly emerging as a rival to team-mate Michael Ricketts as one of the discoveries of the season in the Premiership.

'He was captain for the day, partly due to his Liverpool connections but also because he has been exceptional throughout the Christmas programme,' said Allardyce. 'He has scored three goals in four games and played a major role for us. He deserved to be skipper and looked the part.

'I only told him just before the start, and there was a bit of mickey-taking from the rest of the players. But I knew what it meant to him coming back to Anfield, and he responded exactly in the way I hoped he would.'

He added: 'This was a fantastic result for us, particularly with the other clubs in the bottom half doing well. It could prove to be a priceless point at the end of the season.

'It was also a fantastic day for Kevin. He can handle being captain just as he has been able to handle life in the Premiership this season.'

Goal No.100 may have proved a little difficult for Michael Owen prior to his achieving the milestone at West Ham on Saturday - and his 101st could turn out to be just as difficult to nail down if yesterday's performance is anything to go by.

Two glaring chances were passed up by the England marksman either side of Gerrard's breakthrough.

After charging down a less than effective Colin Hendry clearance in the 30th minute, Owen looked certain to score - until goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen instinctively stuck out his left boot to divert the shot around the post.

Owen fared better as provider in the 50th minute with a pass that the ever- committed Gerrard swept beyond the massed ranks of Bolton defenders with one decisive touch before firing past Jaaskelainen.

But there was more frustration seven minutes later as the goal which would surely have ended Bolton's resistance eluded him in another one- on- one with the keeper.

Owen is used to emerging the victor in these head-to-head confrontations but he came off second best again as Jaaskelainen read his intentions and reached his shot with an outstretched hand.

A determined Bolton pushed for an equaliser and were rewarded 14 minutes from time, albeit with a helping hand from the Liverpool defence.

Stephane Henchoz's weak back-pass forced Jerzy Dudek into a hasty clearance which went straight into touch, and the goal-keeper found himself under pressure again from the resulting throw-in from substitute Gareth Farrelly. When he failed to clear his lines, Bolton's other substitute, Henrik Pedersen, whipped the ball across the six-yard area for an unmarked Nolan to strike his equaliser - plunging his boyhood club into despair.

'There is nothing wrong with confidence or morale - all we lack is a bit of conviction in our final pass,' said Thompson. 'This was two points dropped, but credit to Bolton, they've got great fighting qualities.'