New boss Steven Schumacher labelled his first home match in charge “a crazy game” as Bolton came from 3-1 down to beat 10-man Crawley 4-3 with an own goal nine minutes into stoppage-time.
Defender Charlie Barker deflected a Gethin Jones cross past Matthew Cox to earn Schumacher a first success since replacing Ian Evatt as Trotters manager.
Two goals from Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and a third from Will Swan put Crawley 3-1 in front after 62 minutes.
But Newcastle loanee Alex Murphy’s goal and final touch before becoming one of four substitutions began Wanderers’ fightback.
Josh Sheehan levelled with five minutes left before substitute Rory Feely’s red card for two quickfire bookings left Crawley to play 12 minutes of stoppage time a man down. And Schumacher’s joy was complete with his team’s unlikely winner.
“I’d like it sometimes to be a bit more straightforward,” said the ex Plymouth and Stoke chief.
“But as long as we win, that’s the most important thing. We said it was going to be exciting and it was.
“Some of our attacking play, some of the chances we created and the areas we got into were fine.
“But we were a little susceptible to counter-attacks when we threw so many bodies forward.”
Bolton fans were angered by Crawley’s apparent time wasting with Schumacher adding: “Lads were going down holding their heads for head injuries, that probably wasn’t necessary.
“I’m just glad that the fourth official had a good track of it. He kept telling me in the second half that there was going to be plenty left.”
Crawley have won only one of their last 10 league games, leaving manager Rob Elliot to rue a frustrating afternoon.
A quickly taken free kick led to Murphy firing home his 68th-minute strike but Crawley believed referee Alex Chilowicz should have stopped play for an injury in the area to Barker.
“Between the linesman who was on that side and the referee it should have been dealt with,” said Elliot.
“We still have to switch on but the officials have got to be aware we have a defender down.
“I don’t know if he plays him onside but it becomes irrelevant because the safety of players is the first thing.
“I know people are talking about time wasting. But there was no genuine intent to time waste. It is not something we do.
“There were a lot of collisions, a few bruises and few cuts. Twelve minutes at the end is frustrating because I wasn’t expecting it at all.”
On Feely’s dismissal, Elliot added: “Rory is experienced enough to know not to do that and stay in the game.
“So, I have no complaints with the sending off. Rory held his hands up and apologised to the lads. We just need to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
