There was booing at the Reebok Stadium last night but none of it was from the Bolton Wanderers fans. Instead, the jeers rang out from the away end on 70 minutes when Chris Eagles made his way onto the pitch with Darren Pratley coming off. For the next 20 minutes, it was very much back-and-forth between the two teams with Andy Lonergan and Jake Kean both forced into saves.
Then, Chris Eagles made Blackburn Rovers and the travelling fans pay. A long ball from Andy Lonergan's goal kick took a high bounce and came to David Ngog. The French striker rose highest to meet it with his head and nodded it down to the beleaguered-of-late Chris Eagles. The winger beat two defenders and his shot hit the bottom of the left-hand post before settling into the back of the net. With Chris Eagles sprinting the length of the field to celebrate against the Blackburn fans that loudly booed him, it was sheer pandemonium at the Reebok.
Speaking to the official website after the match, manager Dougie Freedman revealed that he had no worries once Eagles took control of the ball:
"It was all about the team effort tonight and having to make sure when we got our chance we were clinical.
"When it fell to Chris Eagles we knew what the outcome would be, he has got a cool head and he took his goal very well."
Eagles, on the other hand praised the manager's influence:
"The team set out to do a job - I think the defence was brilliant and we did just that. The gaffer told me before I came on that he wanted me to make an impact and I believe I did that.
"It all went to plan and the main thing is that we've carried on our good run."
Chris Eagles also made a point of pointing out the exceptional support at the Reebok Stadium:
"As long as we pick up points in each game that we play it doesn't matter who scores, but it was just great to get the winner especially at home as it gives everyone a boost, especially the fans and I thought they were brilliant today.
"When the fans give you that support, it's like a twelfth man. You just want them to keep going - you saw tonight in the 92nd minute you can never say never, especially in this league."
It is a quick turnaround for Wanderers with Brighton visiting the Reebok Stadium on Saturday afternoon and Eagles is fully aware of the threat Gus Poyet's pose following their meeting earlier this season.
"Brighton are a very good team - they are probably the best I've played against this season away from home but hopefully they'll come here and we'll bring our attacking side to them."
It was definitely a winner that fans will not forget and it's becoming increasingly clear that the improved support is helping carry Bolton Wanderers forward.