Tuesday, September 26 2006 12:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Portsmouth: Kevin Nolan's first half winner gives Sam Allardyce the perfect response following the BBC's recent accusations that he accepted irregular payments for transfers, as Bolton edged out Portsmouth 1-0 here on Monday (25 Sep, 2006). Allardyce along with Pompey boss Harry Redknapp are the subject of last week's documentary, which broadcast three agents admitting the Bolton manager, is open to corruption.

The result proves to be a less than fitting end for departing Pompey chairman Milan Mandaric who is given a heroes send-off by the Fratton Park crowd but cannot match his farewell with three points and a return to the top of the Premiership.

Redknapp is given the luxury of fielding an unchanged starting line-up from the team that beat Charlton last weekend.

Lomana Lualua is forced to resume his place on the bench despite netting the winner at The Valley.

Allardyce swaps Greek international Stelios for Kevin Davies from their last league game against Middlesbrough and Nicky Hunt comes into the back four with Tal Ben Haim pushing out to an unfamiliar role at left back.

Unlikely Premiership pacesetters Pompey begins the strongest as first Sol Campbell goes close with a header from a Matt Taylor corner then Kanu and Benjani combines to put Sean Davis through but his attempt rebounds back off the far post.

Jussi Jaaskelainen is called into service again on 14 minutes when Kanu's stabs effort from the edge of the area is beaten away by the Finnish international and he is then at full stretch to keep out Taylor's side footed volley following Gary O'Neil's run and cross.

Just as soon as they look to be edging ahead Pompey falls behind.

Ben Haim's lofted free kick is headed away by Linvoy Primus but only as far as Nolan; unmark on the edge of the penalty area.

The Bolton skipper looks up and despatches a sweeping volley into the far corner, which is too good for David James and signals the first goal Harry Redknapp's men have conceded in the Premiership for 472 minutes.

Further chances falls to Dejan Stefanovic and Davis again but Jaaskelainen denies them on both occasions as frustration around Fratton Park grows.

Bolton nearly steals a second when Nicolas Anelka beats Campbell to the ball and from an innocuous looking angle has James stretching to deflect his effort skyward.

The Pompey keeper then has to scramble across his goal to stop the ball spinning in at the far post.

Benjani, despite his recent good form, should have hauled the home side back in to the game when he out muscles Abdoulaye Meite and has a clear run on goal.

The Zimbabwean is given the time to pick his spot but instead opts for power and blasts his effort into the stand behind Jaaskelainen.

Lualua is introduced on 57 minutes in the hope of injecting some wizardry into the Pompey frontline but Bolton could, and should put the result beyond their grasp when Kevin Nolan is again unwittingly set up by Primus.

Ivan Campo's long throw is headed across the six-yard box by the defender and Nolan stole a march on the ball-watching defence only to blast well over from close range.

Pompey piles forward looking for the elusive equaliser but despite Glen Johnson's long range effort struggles to break down a typically resolute Bolton as the away side holds firm for the win.