Friday 26 December 2014 19:25, UK
Bolton boss Neil Lennon praised his "old-age pensioners" as Emile Heskey and Eidur Gudjohnsen rolled back the years to earn their new side an unlikely 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers.
The former Leicester, Liverpool, Wigan and Aston Villa striker, 37 next month, and 36-year-old Gudjohnsen combined for Heskey's first goal in England since August 2011.
Three minutes later Darren Pratley completed Wanderers' smash-and-grab victory in front of the club's highest attendance – 23,203 – of the season.
"Only Gudjohnsen could see that pass and I thought Heskey was awesome when he came on," said Lennon after his side extended their unbeaten run to eight games.
"However, I didn't expect that from Emile, if I am honest. Everyone raised eyebrows when we brought him in but you can see why we have done now."
Heskey's international clearance only arrived on Christmas Day from Australia, where he had last played with Newcastle Jets.
"It is a great story because maybe people have been laughing about us bringing these two guys in," added Lennon. "But you can see the qualities they still have.
"We knew going into the game we didn't have a bone fide striker and we missed that physical presence in the first half. Second half was night and day and Emile was a huge influence on how we played.
"He lifted the stadium, him and Eidur. What is it? 73 years between the two of them. But you can’t beat class."
As for the game itself, Lennon added: "We were fortunate to only be a goal down at half-time. As a manager you have got to say your bit and hope you get a reaction and we got that. The character of the team is very good."
A smiling Heskey said: “It’s nice to be back on the football pitch. The weather’s a little bit different to what I’m used to in Australia. But the lads have taken to me and it’s nice to get going.”
Rovers boss Gary Bowyer rued a "mad five minutes" for Blackburn's demise but remained full of praise for his team's efforts.
"I suppose you could put it down to a bit of inexperience in a young group," he sighed. "But even when we went 2-1 down they showed a fantastic spirit to keep going.
"Our oldest player was 26 so the future of the club, these players are only going to get better.
"It should have been done and dusted by half-time. Andy Lonergan (Bolton keeper) is man of the match and you look at the chances we had after a mad five minutes.
"Unfortunately, the players had to go through an experience like this one. We wouldn't have wanted them to but the manner in which they went about the game – both with and without the ball – was phenomenal."
Heskey, who has scored 11 times in 31 starts against Blackburn throughout his career, had an unsuccessful trial at Rovers last month.
"He kept doing a lot of media work so it was difficult," said Bowyer. "And that was the last we heard of him.
"But after a performance like that from my team I don't want to be talking about Emile Heskey."
