Crystal Palace boss Alan Smith praised his players after they showed true grit in coming back from 3-1 down to snatch a point at Bolton.

Smith's outburst about his players last week looked to have made all the difference as they stood up to be counted with a battling display

Smith commented: "I said what I said about the players because I care about them.

"They answered me against Bolton by going out and fighting. We showed that hard work and honesty can get you something in life.

"I expect a certain standard and the players answered by giving everything.

"Clinton Morrison isn't a bad lad, but I just felt there were outside influences that were affecting him, and one or two others." And Morrison, one of the players transfer-listed by Smith last week, admitted he has been the one in the wrong.

"It's true," he said. "Sometimes I come into training with a bad attitude and I walk around sulking. But I want to stay here and the boss has got his point across. If anything, it's been good to clear the air. He's given me a kick up the backside."'

Skipper Jamie Pollock agreed: "The manager said some very bold things and some very strong things. He also said some very accurate things. Players have to take responsibility at times, too. He spoke from the heart and we were determined to fight for the cause on Saturday."

Bolton took the lead in the 20th minute when Gudni Bergsson tapped in but, just before the break, Palace levelled when new signing Dougie Freedman fired home from a Tommy Black cross.

But Palace's cause still looked lost after substitute Michael Ricketts and Per Frandsen had scored twice in a minute.

Then, in the 87th minute, Freedman grabbed his second and Palace scored a dramatic equaliser deep into injury time as Morrison netted Julian Gray's cross.

The Eagles play at Leicester City in the Worthington Cup tonight (Wednesday) and then fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday at Selhurst Park on Saturday.