Lee made seven changes for a match he simply could not afford to lose in the wake of the Trotters' woeful start to their Barclays Premier League campaign.

With Sunday's crunch visit of Chelsea in mind, key players such as Gary Speed and Kevin Nolan, Ricardo Gardner were rested completely while influential strike duo Anelka and El-Hadji Diouf started on the bench.

It was a bold gamble by the Bolton manager and one which at times threatened to backfire spectacularly against the Macedonian league leaders, who threatened on the counter-attack and caused Lee's men several nervous moments.

But Anelka's sixth goal of the season, a looping header from a cross from fellow substitute Stelios Giannakopoulos, settled the Trotters' nerves.

The France striker, 28, committed his future to the club back in August by signing a new deal which will keep him at the club until 2011.

And Anelka's latest vital strike, which came just two minutes after his arrival, allowed Lee to breath a little easier.

That the Trotters boss has found life tough since replacing Sam Allardyce in April is undeniable, with just one Barclays Premier League victory from 10 attempts proof enough.

Lee's European pedigree is impeccable, the former midfielder having helped Liverpool to lift the European Cup in 1981 and 1984.

However, his Bolton side faced a Rabotnicki outfit who arrived in England on the back of an unbeaten 13-match run and a two-point lead in their domestic league.

Though the Reebok Stadium was again well below capacity, there were still plenty of Bolton fans who took advantage of the reduced ticket prices which admitted season-ticket holders for £5 and juveniles for £1.

Rabotnicki's travelling support numbered around 30 and the tiny band of Macedonian fans were forced to watch on nervously during the opening exchanges as Bolton began with purpose and vigour.

Danny Guthrie, on a season-long loan from Liverpool, was one of a handful of fringe players brought into the side and he emerged as as influential figure.

Guthrie produced a delightful flick in the centre circle after six minutes which allowed Mikel Alonso to stride forward at pace with the ball.

Alonso embarked on a strong run down the right flank and whipped in a teasing cross to the far post for Kevin Davies - but his outstretched boot failed to make any meaningful contact..

Moments later Rabotnicki skipper Nderim Nedzipi forced Jussi Jaaskelainen to turn the ball away for a corner with a swerving shot from 20 yards out.

Yet Bolton's momentum were beginning to build and midway through the opening period Daniel Braaten raced clear down the left flank and delivered a deep cross which Guthrie narrowly failed to connect with at the far post as the ball drifted harmlessly behind Tome Pacovski's goal.

In the 32nd minute Davies greeted Guthrie's right-wing corner with a firm header which a visiting defender hacked off the line to avert a certain goal.

Ten minutes before the break, Bolton again came desperately close to making the breakthrough and lift the growing tension.

Lazar Stanisic hauled down Braaten 25 yards from goal and Guthrie stepped up to whip in a fierce free-kick which drew a smart from Pacovski at his near post.

Lee replaced Alonso at the break with Stelios and the Greek winger wasted little time in making his presence felt.

In the 55th minute he latched on to a Davies flick before rounding Pacovski and hitting the outside of a post.

In the 66th minute Anelka replaced Davies and within two minutes he had found the back of the net.

Stelios did superbly well to fashion the space to send over a deep cross from the left flank and Anelka rose above Stanisic to nod home into the far corner.

Anelka proved a constant menace thereafter and refused to allow Rabotnicki's defence to settle.

He chased lost causes and caused untold panic in the visiting ranks - the only question Bolton fans wanted answering was why he had not been on the pitch from the outset.