A THUNDEROUS late strike from Zoltan Harsanyi gave Bolton their third league win of the season and spoiled Stelios's homecoming.

The Greece international, who joined Hull earlier this season after ending a popular five-year stay at the Reebok, had equalised for the Tigers as he continued his return to full fitness.

But Bolton, who sent on schoolboys Jack Sampson, Alex McQuaid and Nathan Battersby in the second half, resisted Hull pressure after the break to take all three points thanks to Harsanyi's 86th-minute strike.

Collecting a Temitope Obadeyi cross just inside the corner of the penalty area, the Slovakian hammered a spectacular left-footed drive into the top corner of Tony Warner's net to lift Bolton into mid-table.

"We had four good chances in the first half. They had a couple in the second half but I thought we looked quite lively and you can tell the players are enjoying it," said coach Alan Cork afterwards.

"We had to play some schoolboys because of the Youth Cup game on Friday night and they've done okay. It's the Premier Reserve League, which is a big step up for them.

"Chris Basham and Tope (Obadeyi) have been part of the first-team squad so it's working nicely for everyone because everyone is getting a chance."

Hull boasted first-team experience in Stelios, Warner, Bryan Hughes and Ryan France but went behind after just seven minutes when Gardner failed to clear a Harsanyi cross and teenage Cypriot Marcos Michail slid the ball home.

Obadeyi then tested Warner with a long-range shot which had the former Fulham keeper scrambling to save and when Harsanyi returned the ball across goal Michael Burns hit a deflected shot against the bar.

Stelios had wasted an early heading chance but equalised after 15 minutes when he tapped in after Adam Bogdan has spilled a Hughes free-kick.

Bolton hit back with Burns releasing Obadeyi, whose pace took him clear of the Hull defence but who could not beat the on-rushing Warner.

Michail also twice went close before the break but Hull then enjoyed a spell on top early in the second half with Basham having to clear off the line from Ryan Kendall and Stelios clipping a free-kick just over the top.

The Tigers looked the more likely winners at that stage but Bolton finished strongly with Obadeyi shooting into the side-netting before Harsanyi settled the outcome in stunning style.

Bolton: Bogdan, Eckersley (Battersby ht), Sinclair, Sissons, Basham, Fojut (McQuaid 64), Burns, Sheridan, Obadeyi, Michail (Sampson ht), Harsanyi.

Hull: Warner, Doyle, Hawley, Featherstone, Plummer, Gardner, France, Hughes, Kendall, Atkinson, Stelios (Bennett 88).