SAM Allardyce wasn't wishing Neale Barry a happy New Year when he sought out the Scunthorpe official after Bolton's injury-time heartbreak.

Instead, the Bolton boss demanded to know why Barry hadn't awarded Wanderers a nailed-on penalty when Kevin Davies was sent tumbling by Ricardo Scimeca.

Only the referee knows the answer because even his assistant signalled a foul had been committed.

Denied an opportunity to make it 3-1 from the spot, Bolton conceded an injury-time equaliser by evergreen Les Ferdinand.

"We know the referee got a major decision wrong," said Allardyce, probably wishing he hadn't recently praised Premiership officials for an improvement in their performances.

"I wouldn't expect him to admit it at the moment but once he sees the video he will realise what a mistake he's made.

Penalty

"I saw it and it looked like a penalty; I got an instant replay and could see that it was definitely a penalty. He made contact and the lad tugged his shirt. In the end that has been the difference between us drawing and winning."

Wanderers still had opportunities to wrap up maximum points but Leicester, denied victory themselves in injury time against Newcastle on Boxing Day, survived to grab a draw.

Bolton failed to heed a warning when Jussi Jaaskelainen saved a James Scowcroft header. And from Muzzy Izzet's corner, substitute Ferdinand powered in a header that fizzed past Ricardo Gardner on the line.

Leicester felt justice had been done after twice suffering themselves against bungling Barry.

They were initially aggrieved by the award of a free kick that led to Ben Thatcher's messy own goal cancelling out Marcus Bent's 18th minute opener.

And they also felt Youri Djorkaeff had fouled John Curtis before laying off the ball for Ivan Campo to strike a stunning goal to make it 2-1 in Bolton's favour.

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