There may have been 5,000 less fans here than when the last visit of Bolton coincided with the return of Kevin Keegan, but those who kept faith with his side and defied ticketing complications were rewarded with two priceless moments that earned three points.

On a day when the new Leazes corner singing section was inaugurated, Bolton's usual brand of stonewalling and directness combined with a certain lack of flair from the home side to make this a dour encounter, often conducted amid hushed tones.

After a flurry of flicks and tricks in the opening stages confirmed that Martins and makeshift strike partner Duff were on different wavelengths, things rapidly settled into a predictable pattern.

The opening 45 minutes was light on chances and saw United forced into a half time reshuffle when Duff failed to reappear after a heavy tackle and a clump on the knee from his former international team mate Andy O'Brien.

Before that though, the Trotters had lost the services of their £8m Swedish striker John Elmander with hamstring trouble just a week after his goalscoring debut in English football. He was replaced by McCann, who was loudly booed as befits his former mackem status.

Although the introduction of Geremi was to give Newcastle a more balanced look than previously, it was Bolton who looked the more intent on driving forward - the departure of Martins clutching his groin seeming to spur them on further.

And it seemed as if Bolton were going to make it three consecutive games at SJP without defeat when they were awarded a penalty, with Owen a recent arrival and having had a header on target with his first touch.

Not renowned as a penalty saver, Given came up trumps though to deny Nolan - diving to his left in the Gallowgate goal to block a low effort and then kicking the ball away as he fell to the ground.

Shay looked delighted and the effect on the crowd was massively uplifting, with Newcastle almost physically pushed onto the attack by a suddenly-energised stadium.

And within twelve minutes there was a breakthrough to cheer at the other end as Owen headed home and celebrated in front of the North West corner, with an equally overjoyed manager leading a group hug on the bench.

With some forward momentum finally, Gutierrez then set Geremi away down the right and he crossed for stand-in striker to head agonisingly over the bar. And the Cameroonian midfielder came close to a second himself when he struck N'Zogbia's byline pull back but saw it deflected wide.

At the other end Bolton had their chances also but were equally profligate and the three minutes of added time were successfully played out without further incident.

While Given and Owen took the plaudits and Taylor atoned for his handball with an instinctive late clearance from Nolan, there was much for Keegan to mull over after this display.

Coloccini and Gutierrez both enjoyed comfortable home debuts - with the former coming closer to a goal than his attacking compatriot when following in on Jaaskelainen's parry of an Owen effort.

Spiderman tired after the break - hardly surprising after 90 minute shifts on Sunday for his club and another full game for his country in Belarus on Wednesday. 

Unfortunately for him though, our seven man bench proved to be light on alternatives following the replacement of Duff and Oba - Smith's naming as a substitute being a meaningless gesture.

Much of our play came through N'Zogbia in what amounted to a wing-back role down the left, but his forward running too often was of the blind alley variety - while at other times he just seemed wilfully casual in possession.

Elsewhere, Guthrie had a testing afternoon in the centre, as his former colleagues were quick to close him down. Next to him though, Butt had a typically industrious afternoon.

And with Milner having a frustrating day when his distribution routinely went awry and Duff not worth mentioning when he was on the field, that all added up to an afternoon that seemed like ending in a blank return - until the decisive intervention of Owen.

If ever Viduka was missed though, then it was today - either him, or some other awkward lump up front to confront their awkward lumps, act as a target for crosses and contribute scraps and knockdowns to his team mates. 

That's not a role that Smith or Ameobi seem able to fulfil, leaving the Aussie and local understudy Carroll to contribute that type of display when available - not necessarily a twenty goal a season man, but someone who can play week in, week out.

From watching the first week of the Premier League, some remarkably average defending across the board seems to be the norm, be it Man City, Man United, Spurs or Arsenal. Look no further than our first two goals of the season - Oba and Owen both being left alone to find the net. 

Under those circumstances, we almost seem to be making it difficult for ourselves in not having another string to our bow. 

It doesn't even have to be a mega money signing - just some old-fashioned muscle up front to knit the thing together when scrapping is required, as aside from Barton we're verging on the polite.... and there will doubtless be many more occasions like this at SJP this season.

A welcome three points to add to last week's draw then, but the revolving door of injuries to front players is an early worry given the long road ahead of us and our recruitment issues to date.

The manager has made his position clear regarding headcount - none out and three in, ideally - wow or no wow. Hopefully we can still do business in this final week of the transfer window, but at least we've got points on the board and there seems to be a good spirit in the dressing room.   

PS: we couldn't let this occasion pass without alerting you to the reforming of 80's pop pretenders Milli Vanilli - Rico Gardner and Riga Mustapha coming off the bench for Bolton in the second half....

Biffa