BOLTON 2 PRESTON 0 BOLTON'S debutant Michael Ricketts' jokingly refused to give his keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen much credit for their victory over neighbours Preston at the Reebok -- but manager Sam Allardyce knew the Finn deserved it.

Ricketts, signed from Walsall in the summer, came on as a substitute and scored the killer second goal, racing past North End defender Michael Jackson and firing home in the 82nd minute.

"My strength is running at people," said the 21-year-old. "I am not a good watcher and I was itching to get on the pitch and see what I could do."

But when asked if his Bolton team-mate in goal deserved a pat on the back for two outstanding saves, Ricketts said, tongue in cheek: "No."

However, Allardyce, was full of praise for Ricketts -- "a young players who can achieve great things at this club" and Jaaskelainen.

"He pulled off a couple of fantastic saves. He was there to save the day and his saves won us the match as well as the goals," admitted the former Preston player and caretaker boss.

"But the quality of our finishing was superb and that could be the difference between a good and bad season."

After Bolton had taken a 42nd minute lead with a wonder goal from loan star Iaiah Rankine, Jaaskelainen had to battle hard to keep a clean sheet in the dying seconds of the first half.

North End's top scorer Jon Macken, with three goals this season, first hit the underside of the crossbar from Mark Rankine's cross. The ball then fell to Iain Anderson who's effort was turned onto the upright by the Bolton shot stopper -- the second time the Scot had hit the woodwork after seeing a 20 yard effort crash against the post just before Bolton's opener.

And then the third rebound from Macken was again scrambled clear by Jaaskelainen.

"We were unlucky," moaned Anderson. "I thought both had gone in and I couldn't believe it when the keeper saved it. He was very good and it just seemed like it wasn't to be our day."

And manager David Moyes echoed those sentiments. He was also disappointed that striker Steve Basham couldn't find the target when clean through early in the first half,

"We could have had three points and it's probably the best we've played in our three matches," said the North End boss.

"We need Steve Basham to score goals in such situations. Centre forwards have to make their efforts count and it was there for everybody to see that we are lacking in firepower.

"But the lads have nothing to be ashamed of.

"In fact they can hold their heads high. Bolton are a good side and you can see why they are one of the favourites for promotion." Preston have been charged by the Football Association following the 18 man melee in their 3-0 victory over Sheffield United at Deepdale where Paul Devlin was sent-off.

North End now have 14 days to appeal against the charge.

Manager David Moyes said: "It was hand bags at ten paces and I certainly didn't see any punches being thrown. We are all in it together at this club and I would not expect our lads to stand around, they came to a colleagues aid and that's what I would expect."