Middlesbrough stretched their unbeaten run to nine games after a pulsating finale at the Riverside Stadium.
Boro looked destined to lose the game until Dutch international George Boateng snatched a stoppage-time equaliser to the huge relief of the home crowd.
The game really exploded into life in the final 20 minutes with Bolton taking the lead, Middlesbrough storming back, and visiting goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen being shown the red card.
Bolton would have been happy with a point even though it was in the second minute of stoppage time that Boro finally beat veteran substitute goalkeeper Kevin Poole.
Boro recalled Joseph-Desire Job to their attack as Steve McClaren dropped Mark Viduka to the substitute's bench.
Wanderers suffered a pre-match blow when skipper Jay Jay Okocha was ruled out with a thigh injury. Former Real Madrid star Fernando Hierro made his first Premiership start at the age of 37.
Discussion before the game was dominated by whether Boro would suffer a hangover following their dazzling midweek display against fallen Italian giants Lazio in the UEFA Cup.
The first half was a disappointing affair with neither side impressing with their attacking flair or shooting power.
Indeed it wasn't until the 35th minute that either side had a shot on goal and when it did finally arrive, Boro's Ray Parlour fired wide.
Job had an ineffective 45 minutes and it was no surprise when Viduka took over in attack for the second period.
The former Leeds United striker headed against the post within two minutes of coming on to the pitch following Stewart Downing's left-wing cross.
Bolton's Senegalese international star El Hadji Diouf became the target of the Boro boo boys. There were cries of 'cheat' as he lay on the ground and then refused a stretcher.
But Bolton were solid in defence as Boro struggled to find the breakthrough.
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce appeared on the touchline urging his players forward and the visitors began to show more enterprise after the break.
They finally snatched the lead in the 72nd minute courtesy of substitute Henrik Pedersen. Diouf sent over a left-wing corner, Bruno N'Gotty headed forward, and Pedersen got the final touch in a crowded goalmouth.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink fired just wide as Boro tried desperately to save the game.
With five minutes to go the game exploded into life when Jaaskelainen brought down Hasselbaink. It appeared to be a blatant penalty and the referee had no option but to dismiss the goalkeeper.
But to the anger of the home crowd, and the relief of the visiting fans, the referee ruled that the offence had been committed just outside the penalty area.
When Hasselbaink blasted the resulting free-kick over the bar it looked as though Boro's last chance had gone.
But as the tension mounted, the prominent Parlour nearly knocked Poole over with a powerful shot.
Boateng followed up to score from the rebound - only the second goal of his Riverside career.
Boro were unlucky not to take all three points as they twice hit the woodwork and went close on several other occasions.
However, Allardyce must have been thrilled with the never-say-die spirit of his defence.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Bruno N'Gotty (Bolton) - Was outstanding in the visitors defence, always in the thick of the action and a key figure as Bolton battled to a draw.