BENNI McCarthy made amends for a missed penalty with a late equaliser, as Rovers came back from two goals down to preserve their unbeaten record under Sam Allardyce against his former club.

Bolton took a two-goal lead courtesy of first-half strikes from Matthew Taylor and Kevin Davies.

But the introduction of Roque Santa Cruz and Tugay turned the game in Rovers' favour less than 15 minutes into the second half.

Shortly after, McCarthy fed Stephen Warnock, who reduced the arrears with a cool finish from the left flank.

Moments later, McCarthy had an excellent opportunity to level things up after Jussi Jaaskelainen brought down Santa Cruz inside the box. But for the second time in three seasons, the giant Finn denied McCarthy from the spot.

But with just three minutes remaining, the South African striker had the last laugh - tapping home his fifth goal in as many league games thanks to Jason Roberts' assist.

Ryan Nelsen then came within a whisker of winning it for Rovers in time added on, but his header hit the post, as Rovers were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

Before the match, Rovers made four changes to the side that were held to a goalless draw away to Sunderland at the weekend.

Roberts and Andre Ooijer recovered from minor knocks to replace Santa Cruz and Danny Simpson, whilst Brett Emerton and Keith Andrews were prefered to Martin Olsson and Aaron Mokoena.

Having scored four goals in his last four league games, Roberts looked confident from the off - drawing a comfortable save out of Jaaskelainen with less than a minute on the clock.

Rovers saw plenty of the ball in the early exchanges, but it was the visitors who took the lead with their first real attack.

On 15 minutes, Kevin Davies played in on-loan striker Ariza Makukula down the right and the Portuguese international's cross-shot was turned in by Taylor at the far post.

Makukula was causing Rovers problems again 10 minutes later, but his attempted over-head kick struck Chris Samba's arm and deflected out for a corner.

As the half progressed, Bolton continued to pose the greater threat and Gary Megson's side duly added their second with 35 minutes played.

Gretar Steinsson supplied the cross from the right, Paul Robinson made a superb save to deny Kevin Davies' initial effort, but he couldn't prevent the former Rovers forward from forcing home the rebound. 

The home fans and players were becoming increasingly frustrated as a number of decisions went against them - with Brett Emerton going into the referee's book for a lunge on Steinsson.

Rovers' final chance of a disappointing opening display fell to Andrews on the stroke of half-time, but the Irishman's driven effort went well wide.

After Roberts volleyed tamelessly into the arms of Jaaskelainen 10 minutes after the restart, Allardyce felt it was time for fresh legs - with Tugay and Santa Cruz replacing Morten Gamst Pedersen and Ooijer.

And with extra bodies now further up field, Rovers made the breakthrough. McCarthy played a precise through ball to Warnock, who looked to certain to pick out a player in the centre, but the left-back deceived eveyone - including Jaaskelainen - by lifting the ball over the keeper's head into the roof of the net.

Sensing a recovery, Rovers took the initiative and carved out a golden chance to draw level just four minutes later. The two substitutes combined, as Tugay's pin-point ball over the top was controlled by Santa Cruz on his chest and after slipping the ball past Jaaskelainen, the Paraguayan striker was upended inside the box.

The Bolton keeper was perhaps fortunate only to receive a yellow card and the referee's decision proved crucial, as McCarthy's poor penalty was well saved. Neither McCarthy nor Andrews were able to force home the rebound.

Rovers refused to let their heads drop and continued to hammer on the Bolton door. On 79 minutes, Emerton's low drive was straight at Jaaskelainen and six minutes later, the Finnish international was forced to punch Warnock's swerving cross behind for a corner.

But with just three minutes left on the clock, Rovers finally got the goal that their endeavour deserved. Emerton swung in a cross from the right, which Samba headed down to Roberts, who flicked the ball inside to his strike partner McCarthy, who made amends for his penalty miss with a simple finish from close range.

Taylor tried his luck from long range on the 90-minute mark, before Nelsen almost won it for the home side in time added on, but the skipper's header from Emerton's free-kick bounced back off the foot of the post.

That's now seven games unbeaten under Big Sam, as Rovers now turn their attentions to Middlesbrough in three days time.

ROVERS: Robinson, Ooijer (Santa Cruz 58), Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Emerton, Grella (Mokoena 90), Andrews, Pedersen (Tugay 58), McCarthy, Roberts.
Subs: Bunn, Givet, Simpson, Villanueva.

BOLTON WANDERERS: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Puygrenier, Samuel, Basham, Muamba, Nolan, Taylor, K. Davies, Makukula (M. Davies 75).
Subs: Al Habsi, O'Brien, Shittu, Gardner, Smolarek, Riga.

Booked: Emerton, Grella, Roberts (Rovers), Steinsson, Jaaskelainen, M. Davies, Puygrenier (Bolton)

Attendance: 25,205