POMPEY old boy Matt Taylor helped Bolton return to winning ways in a pulsating clash at the Reebok.

And England hopeful Taylor, signed from Fratton Park almost 12 months ago, set-up Wanderers’ second for Jamaican international Ricardo Gardner.

But despite the dream start Gary Megson’s side made hard work of their first home win since November 2.

Two-up after just three minutes, Bolton were pegged back by Peter Crouch’s 20th minute header.

And their failure to convert a succession of excellent chances always left the result in doubt until the final whistle.

Record signing Johan Elmander endured a frustrating afternoon and with greater steadiness could easily have finished with a hat-trick.

David James made several useful saves on an otherwise shaky afternoon for the error prone England keeper.

His stop from Gretar Steinsson just before half-time kept the game in the melting point longer than is should have been.

Man of the match Gardner later fired into the side netting after James easily blocked Elmander’s weak effort.

And Gardner’s departure to make way for Fabrice Muamba didn’t go down well with the disappointingly low Reebok crowd.

However, after defeats by Chelsea and Aston Villa, the result was just the tonic for Wandererers to start their Christmas and New Year programme. Tweet