Bolton Reserves 3, City Reserves 3 - Jamie Lawrence and Gunnar Halle gave Nicky Law some good news at Bolton's Reebok Stadium last night.

Both successfully came through their return from injury and pushed themselves immediately into contention for Law's home debut against Portsmouth on Saturday - though it may be a little early for Lawrence after three months out.

City drew 3-3 in a thrilling match against a Bolton side containing Dean Holdsworth - who opened the scoring after 15 minutes against the run of play.

It was no more than the Bantams deserved when they drew level soon after when Claus Jorgensen, the pick of the visitors, followed up a drive by Gareth Grant.

And two minutes later City were in front as Jorgensen turned provider to create the chance for Grant to tuck away.

Andy Lee earned himself the first caution of the evening on 25 minutes for a deliberate foul before Lawrence had to leave the pitch for a while when he received a cut on his face but was able to continue after treatment.

City were kept in the game when Jon Worsnop brought off a string of fine saves leading up to half-time.

Five minutes after the break, Bolton were back on level terms when Holdsworth scored his second of the evening when he raced clear following a defensive mistake by Phil McGahey.

Halle was unlucky to see a header blocked on the line on 55 minutes before the Norwegian and Lawrence were taken off, presumably to rest them both for the weekend. They were replaced by Keith Brodie and Tom Penford.

City were starting to live dangerously at times in the second half and it was no real surprise when Bolton took the lead when Holdsworth got his hat-trick having received the ball on the left and fired a right-foot drive past Worsnop.

But eight minutes from time City earned a share of the points when following a good build-up by Jorgensen, he crossed for Kevin Sanasy to half-volley the ball home to make it 3-3.

BOLTON RES: Poole, Hunt, Moran, Livesey, Buchanan, Niven, Johnson, Dootson, Wheatcroft, Holdsworth, Flanagan. Subs: Eckersley, Bon, Taylor, Ryan, Downey.

CITY RES: Worsnop, Halle (Brodie), Emanuel, Lawrence (Penford), Morgan, McGahey, Bentham, Jorgensen, Forrest (Sanasy), Grant, Lee. Subs: Beach, Swift.