Bolton 4 Newcastle 3
Alan Shearer scored the 350th goal of his career but struggling Bolton boosted their survival chances by holding on for a much-needed three points at the Reebok Stadium today.
Michael Ricketts bagged a brace for Sam Allardyce's side in a thrilling encounter. The striker scored his first goal in open play since January in the 1-1 draw against West Ham and was rewarded with a place in the starting line-up.
Today he was the catalyst in a vital victory for a Bolton side, anxious to avoid the drop.
They raced into a 4-1 lead only to fall away and hang on nervously for only their second home league win.
The game got off to a blistering opening with three goals in the opening nine minutes.
The home side, rooted in the relegation zone, got just the start they wanted with a goal after five minutes.
Ricardo Gardner laid the ball into the path of Nigerian midfielder Jay-Jay Okocha who rifled a shot beyond Shay Given.
Bolton's lead lasted only three minutes with Shearer getting the equaliser.
Nolberto Solano fed the ball to Kieron Dyer and he whipped it inside to Shearer, whose finish was clinical.
The game took another twist in the ninth minute when Bolton regained the lead when Jamaica international Ricardo Gardner whipped in an unstoppable 25-yard free-kick that went over a startled Given and into the net.
Dyer found the net for Newcastle in the 31st minute after Ameobi had robbed Simon Charlton but his effort was ruled out for an infringement.
Ricketts added a third for the home side on the stroke of half time with a powerful header beyond Given after a cross from Frandsen.
Ricketts got his second goal of the game after 64 minutes to put Bolton 4-1 ahead, latching on to a poor back pass from Gary Speed to steer a shot wide of Given.
Newcastle pulled a goal back after 72 minutes to give them a glimmer of hope of getting something out of the match.
Solano picked out Ameobi and his shot appeared to take a deflection off Dyer and wrong-foot Jaaskelainen.
Newcastle set up a grandstand finish by getting a third goal in the 78th minute.
Robert played a short free kick to Shearer who lashed an unstoppable shot into the corner from 25 yards .
It was another landmark for the former England striker - his second goal of the game and his 14th of the season bringing his career tally to 350.
But both Newcastle and Shearer had nothing to show at the end of a rousing encounter.
PA