A STUNNING second half strike from Egil Ostenstad settled this keenly-contested Lancashire derby as 10-man Rovers chiselled out only their second victory of the season.

Ostenstad ensured Rovers maintained their excellent record at the Reebok with a sizzling 75th minute winner to ease Alan Murray's men away from the bottom three in the FA Premier Reserve League North.

But once again the main talking point of the night focused on the performance of the referee after Academy youngster Neil Danns was controversially sent off in the 39th minute.

Reserve boss Murray was irate after Danns saw red for a second bookable offence following a strong challenge on tricky wide-man Jermaine Johnson.

And he later lambasted the officials for over-reacting in the heat of the moment rather than applying some common-sense.

"The problem you've got is the referee doesn't know the difference between a tackle and a foul," rapped Murray.

"He actually admitted he didn't see the tackle, he just reacted to the linesman's flag.

"And even though he didn't go and consult him, he then deemed it as a yellow card.

"So it's no wonder we get upset.

"Young Neil Danns is an honest player, he made the tackle -- which was a strong one -- but it's a physical game.

"He won the ball, the lad went down, the linesman reacted and the ref then over-reacted, which you just can't legislate for.

"But we took that in our stride, reorganised and in the end I thought we ran out comfortable winners."

Wanderers fielded a strong side containing several of Sam Allardyce's first team squad but Rovers proved more than a match for their hosts on the night.

With Alan Mahon and Burton O'Brien bristling with energy in midfield, the visitors zipped the ball around with purpose in an entertaining first half.

And they deservedly took the lead thanks to a flowing three-man move in the 11th minute.

David McNamee slipped a clever ball into O'Brien deep in Bolton territory who in turn found Ostenstad out on the left and when the Norwegian crossed, O'Brien darted between two defenders to score from close range at the near post.

Wanderers then hit back with several efforts of their own as John Filan brilliantly tipped aside Dean Holdsworth's vicious volley.

And Japanese striker Akinori Nishizawa curled another shot inches over the bar.

However, the game then erupted in controversy six minutes before the break when Danns got his marching orders for chopping down Johnson in full flight.

Bolton got back on level terms within three minutes of the restart when Nishizawa crossed for Holdsworth to head home at the far post.

Jeff Smith and David Norris then missed golden chances to put Wanderers ahead but both headed wide with just Filan to beat.

And those misses ended up proving costly as Rovers carved out a magnificent winner with 15 minutes left.

The impressive Mahon threaded a clever ball through to Ostenstad on the left and the former Southampton man lashed a brilliant low drive past Kevin Poole into the far corner from 18 yards. Beamed Murray: "That's Egil Ostenstad at his best -- on the shoulder of defenders, latching onto a good through-ball and finishing in style.

"He might be off the scene at the minute but that will have done him the world of good and I'm pleased for him."

BOLTON: Poole, Southall, Richardson, Barness, Hendry, Norris, Johnson, Farrelly, Nishizawa, Holdsworth, Smith. Subs: O'Hare (for Holdsworth, 59), Downey (for Smith, 76) Not used: Buchanan, Williams, Dootson.

ROVERS: Filan, Kenna, McNamee, Dunning, Taylor (Martin), Greer, Danns, O'Brien, Walters, Ostenstad, Mahon. Subs: Murray (for Dunning, 65), Watt (for Ostenstad, 75) Not used: Robinson, Howson, Taylor (Michael)

Booked: Bolton (Nishizawa) Rovers (McNamee, Danns, Mahon). Sent off: Danns.

RESULT: BOLTON RESERVES...1 ROVERS RESERVES...2