24 years ago to the day, Bolton Wanderers came back from 2-0 down to beat Reading 4-3 in the 1995 play-off final and what a ding dong do it was.
The incredible comeback and nailbiting finish will go down in history for Wanderers fans.
(Photo by Reading Post/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
Reading were 2-0 up after just 12 minutes, not an ideal start for Bruce Rioch’s Wanderers.
It took Bolton until the 75th minute to pull a goal back through Owen Coyle.
Thankfully, with just four minutes left of normal time, Fabian de Freitas netted to level the score and take the match to extra-time.
(Photo by Frank Coppi/Popperfoto/Getty Images)
Two more goals from Wanderers in the second half of extra-time secured a victory that looked almost impossible after 12 minutes.
Mixu Paatenlainen got on the scoresheet late on and another goal for de Freitas secured the historic win.
However, Reading weren’t down and out as they pulled the score back to 4-3 in the 119th minute.
You can watch highlights of the 1995 play-off final below and the video features some incredible commentary.
Sadly, Wanderers were relegated straight back down to the First Division (what is now the Championship) a season later.
It wasn’t long until Wanderers tasted play-off success again though as Big Sam’s Bolton trounced Preston 3-0 in the 2001 play-off final. It was a victory that kick-started the most successful era in Wanderers’ recent history.