Bolton Wanderers 3 - 3 Palace

Saturday October 28 2000 - League

Palace boss Alan Smith praised his Palace players after they should true grit in coming back from 3-1 down to snatch a point away to Bolton.

After Smith's onslaught on the players, this week looked to have made all the difference as they stood up to be counted and put in a battling performance.

Bolton took the lead against the run of play in the 20th minute when Gudni Bergsson tapped in a Kevin Nolan flick from a Mark Fish long throw.

Just before the break, Palace levelled when new signing Dougie Freedman fired home from a Tommy Black cross.

It looked all over for Palace as substitute Michael Ricketts put the home side back into the lead after 75 minutes and minutess later, Per Frandsen unleashed a fierce drive in the bottom corner for number three.

Then in the 86th minute Freedman grabbed his second and Palace grabbed a dramatic equaliser deep into injury time as Morrison put away a Julian Gray cross to round off a remarkable comeback.

Post match comments

Smith said: "I said what I said about the players because I care about them. They answered me against Bolton by going out and fighting.

"We showed that hard work and honesty does get you something in life. I expect a certain standard, I've said so, and the players answered me.

"Today they gave everything. Clinton Morrison isn't a bad lad, I just felt there were outside influences that were affecting him and one or two others."

Morrison, one of the players transfer-listed by Smith last week, admitted he has been the one in the wrong.

"It's true," he said. "Sometimes I come into training with a bad attitude. I walk around sulking. But I want to stay here and the boss has got his point across. If anything, it's been good to clear the air. He's given me a kick up the backside."

Skipper Jamie Pollock agreed. "The manager said some very bold things and some very strong things.

"He also said some very accurate things. Players have to take responsibility at times, too. He spoke from the heart and we were determined to go out and fight for the cause at Bolton."

From The Terrace Photos

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