Bolton were struck by the cruellest of blows as Marouane Fellaini headed in late a winner to seal a last gasp victory for Everton for the second consecutive season.

The Belgium midfielder nodded in a Steven Pienaar cross with only a minute remaining on the clock to give the visitors their first win in nine matches.

The game looked destined to be a heading for a 0-0 draw - a result which itself would have been harsh on the Trotters - until Everton's record signing latched onto the South African's delivery, to claim all three points with the help of the post.

It was a game that Bolton bossed from start to finish, however the Trotters didn't get any fortune in what was, aside from the late goal, an encouraging performance.

The enforced suspension of Gavin McCann meant that Gary Megson woumade one change from the weekend defeat at Spurs.

The man brought into replace the midfielder was Riga, who made his first start in Bolton colours. It also resulted in a change of formation from the Bolton manager, who decided to operate with a 4-4-2 formation with Kevin Davies partnering Johan Elmander up front.

From the offset, it had a desired effect as Bolton offered plenty in attack during the opening stages. Elmander, who had still to add to his opening day strike against Stoke, tested Howard with a couple of long range attempts, which the American stopper was equal to on both occasions.

Riga, operating out on the right-wing looked lively and he too made Howard work with a shot from distance having twisted and turned on the edge of the box to create an half opening for himself.

With 10 minutes on the clock, Everton did have the ball in the back of Jaaskelainen's net. Louis Saha latched onto Yakubu's through pass, however his strike partner had handled when controlling the ball and Phil Dowd correctly ruled the goal out.

As the half progressed both sides shared possession in what was becoming an open encounter.

Arguably Everton's best opening of the first half came when Yakubu drifted out to the left, found himself unmarked and pulled back a low cross for Saha to run onto and attack. Fortunately for Bolton, it landed to the Everton number nine on his weaker right foot and Jussi Jaaskelainen scampered across his goal line to collect the 20-yard effort at the second attempt.

Kevin Nolan came close with a 30 yard curler that crept narrowly over the crossbar, while Matty Taylor kept Howard on his toes with trademark long-range attempt which clipped Leon Osman on its route through to goal.

After the break, the game continued in the same direction, with Bolton dominating for large periods.

Despite applying pressure consistently throughout the half, the Everton rearguard held solid, with perhaps the best opportunity falling to Gretar Steinsson, who fired into the arms of Tim Howard from a promising position on his native right flank on 67 minutes.

Matthew Taylor scuffed a shot from outside the area, Kevin Davies headed a Riga free-kick wide and Fabrice Muamba blazed directly at Tim Howard from 30 yards out.

But just as the clock was reaching the 90 minute mark with a stalemate looking the likely outcome, Everton's record signing crept into the box to score his second goal of the week and claim an undeserved win for David Moyes' side.