THERE will be no love lost when Bolton face Arsenal in their Valentine's Day FA Cup replay.
But after yesterday's unexpected draw, Wanderers fancy delivering a kiss of death to the Londoners' fourth round victory hopes.
They came within 10 minutes of doing it at the first attempt after Kevin Nolan's early second-half goal.
And if Nolan had converted another chance, Bolton might not have needed a second game to end Arsenal's interest in the competition.
Instead, Kolo Toure headed in a late equaliser to preserve Arsenal's unbeaten record at the Emirates Stadium.
Ironically, it was a set piece - Bolton's specialist subject - that led to the Ivorian scoring past Jussi Jaaskelainen.
"That was disappointing, but we were fantastic" said manager Sam Allardyce, delighted by the response to last weekend's 5-1 mauling at Middlesbrough.
Tournament
"Had Kevin gone round the keeper to make it 2-0, I don't think there would have been any way back.
But I'm pleased we are in the hat. They will have some more senior players available for the replay and it's going to be just as tough at the Reebok."
History student Allardyce is well aware Bolton were the first team to lift the FA Cup at the old Wembley.
And he's set his heart on the Super Whites going back to the new Wembley in May.
Indeed, the omens for the replay are promising. Wanderers beat the Gunners 3-1 in the Premiership at the Reebok last November and also dumped them out of last season's tournament.
Captain Nolan also has designs on a May date in the capital.
"I saw the FA Cup at a function not so long ago but refused to touch it," he smiled.
"The first time I do so I hope to be lifting it in front of a packed Wembley.
"When some foreign players arrive at Bolton they do not have the same passion for the FA Cup as I do. But it does not take long before they feel the same."
He struck home his first goal of the year following an excellent build-up, involving Gary Speed, Nicolas Anelka and Kevin Davies.
A replay is the last thing Arsene Wenger wanted, but he admitted: "They defended well and scored a good goal. I just felt we lacked a bit of sharpness and focus in the first half."

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