BOLTON crashed out of the Carling Cup as Marcus Bent gave under-fire Charlton manager Iain Dowie some much-needed breathing space.

Bent combined with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to notch his first goal of the campaign, completing an early season double for Charlton over the Trotters who had also supplied their only Premiership victory.

Hermann Hreidarsson squandered two great chances to double the lead in the first half but after the interval it was all one-way traffic with Bolton going close on a number of occasions.

The two managers' attitude to the competition was reflected in their team selection with both making six changes in preparation for the more pressing issue of the weekend's Premiership matches.

Bolton boss Sam Allardyce had already indicated Saturday's showdown with Manchester United was his number one priority while Dowie's position will once again be subject to intense scrutiny should Charlton lose at Newcastle.

Bolton made a lively start, creating the first chance with just two minutes on the clock when Idan Tal fired a pinpoint cross from the left which Stelios Giannakopoulos just failed to reach.

Tal had a shot blocked after a throw-in into the box created panic in the Charlton defence and then Ricardo Vaz Te went close with an acrobatic overhead kick.

The Addicks should have taken the lead in the 16th minute when Bryan Hughes delivered the perfect corner to Hermann Hreidarsson, who headed a great chance wide.

Weighted

But they did manage to break the deadlock a minute later with Hasselbaink picking out Bent with a beautifully-weighted ball and the é2.5million signing from Everton escaped Tal Ben Haim to smash home.

Thomas showed skill to pass Teimourian Andranik but his shot was blocked by Ben Haim and moments later Bent had a penalty shout turned down after being dispossessed by Abdoulaye Meite.

Bolton were giving free kicks away at a rate of knots with one challenge from Stelios seeing Thomas stretchered from the pitch.

Thomas attempted to pass Stelios on the left wing but the Greek midfielder caught him with a knee on the hip as he was turning and the 23-year-old Addicks midfielder went down.

Darren Ambrose came on as his replacement moments after Hreidarsson had headed into the arms of Walker, wasting another fine opportunity.

A flowing move from Charlton lit up most of the 10,788 crowd at The Valley in the 57th minute, with Kishishev executing a perfect tackle to start the attack.

He fed Bent who released Holland and the former Republic of Ireland international race ahead before crossing to the far post - where Hasselbaink directed a looping header over the bar.

Ben Haim nodded wide with the goal at his mercy and then striker Kevin Davies was denied by Myhre as Bolton pressed for the equaliser.

Tal set up a chance for Davies but England right-back Luke Young poked the ball away just as the Bolton striker was about to turn and shoot.

The last 20 minutes saw Charlton's goal come under heavy attack with Bolton dominating the midfield - but the home team held only for only their third win of the season - and their second against Wanderers.

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