Yorke, Lawrence on target in England

FORMER Trinidad and Tobago striker Dwight Yorke and lanky defender Dennis Lawrence were among the goalscorers in a full slate of matches in English Football yesterday. Yorke headed an injury-time equaliser in second half injury time as 10-man Blackburn earned a 2-2 draw against Bolton in a thrilling English Premiership derby at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton. A third-minute penalty by Frenchman Youri Djorkaeff and a 26th minute item from Kevin Davies, via a feed from Djorkaeff had put Bolton ahead as they looked for their first win in nine attempts over Graeme Souness’ side.

Bolton’s 2-0 half-time lead delighted most in the record Reebok Stadium crowd of 27,423, but Matt Jansen’s 50th minute strike kept Rovers in the match. Bolton looked safe as Blackburn debutant Steven Reid was sent off on 88 minutes, but there was still time for Yorke to have the final say. Yorke had two earlier chances to equalise, first heading wide before shooting straight at Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen when clear. At Racecourse Ground in Wrexham, Lawrence found himself unmarked in the penalty area and headed home in the 19th as the Wales-based team edged Brentford 1-0. Brian Carey hit the crossbar with a downward header as the home side threatened to add to their tally while another TT striker Hector Sam spurned a brilliant opportunity late in the second half. Winger Carlos Edwards also played the full 90 minutes for Wrexham while ex-TT captain Anthony Rougier got his second start for Brentford. At the City of Manchester Stadium, David Sommeil scored a last-gasp equaliser, heading past TT keeper Shaka Hislop from a Joey Barton free-kick in, as Manchester City avoided defeat against Portsmouth, in their first Premiership match at the City of Manchester Stadium.