CONTROVERSY reigned at Oakwell as Bolton were denied a 75th minute winner by referee Mike Fletcher.

Dean Holdsworth was the Wanderer who thought he had secured the three points when his ublime volley hit the back of the Barnsley net, only to see a linesman's flag chalk off his effort.

But then, amazingly, Fletcher changed his mind, awarding the goal but then reconsidered again, awarding Bolton a free kick, leaving boss Sam Allardyce furious.

"If it was a foul on our player then it is common sense to give the goal," stated Allardyce, "we could have been close to the playoff places now had we got the three points and I hope it doesn't cost us at the end of the season."

Bolton had taken the lead on 42 minutes courtesy of a Holdsworth penalty after Tykes keeper Kevin Miller hauled the striker down in the area.

But within two minutes Eric Tinkler salvaged a point, shooting past the stranded Jussi Jaaskelainen.

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