MIDDLESBROUGH failed to overturn an early two-goal deficit in Monday's Championship play-off final but one man watching on from the stands knows exactly how a comeback feels.

Former Wanderers boss Bruce Rioch saw his Whites side under the cosh at Wembley in 1995 against Reading before a late four-goal blitz saw the men from Burnden Park win after extra time to gain promotion to the Premiership for the first time.

On the eve of the 20th anniversary of that memorable match, Rioch recalled what a special feeling it was to win a second promotion in three years at the Wanderers helm.

And he still has fond memories of that fantastic second-half turnaround underneath the old twin towers.

"It was a memorable occasion," The 67-year-old told The Bolton News.

"I was down at the play-off final on Monday with two of my old clubs playing in Norwich and Middlesbrough and it brought back so many memories of that Reading game to me.

"I said to my wife Jane how different it was, though, watching from the stands than being in the thick of it on the touchline and in the dugout.

"Like us in 1995, Middlesbrough went 2-0 down early on.

"What we had that Middlesbrough didn't on Monday was goalscorers on the bench.

"We could bring the likes of Fabian de Freitas on and he had goals in him.

"We ended up with Fabian, Owen Coyle, John McGinlay and Mixu Paatelainen all on the pitch at the same time.

"The message at half time was simple. The team talk was straightforward.

"We had to lift the players and get them to stay positive.

"When you are 2-0 down in a huge match it is hard but we said 'just focus on getting one goal to start and forget two or three and winning at this stage'.

"I knew if we got one we would be on our way with the team we had.

"We were a good side with confident players.

"At 2-0 the next goal is crucial and we got it.

"Owen Coyle's header was a big goal for us.

"After that we produced the goods and were in full flow in the second half.

"We were a fit team in great shape and we powered through Reading and came back to win after that.

"At half-time Reading's fans were buoyant and ours were low but 45 minutes later ours were elated and there's deflated – that is what football can do to you."

Despite hailing his side's attacking prowess, Rioch admitted the main man on the day was goalkeeper Keith Branagan, whose penalty save just before half time was a turning point.

He added: "Keith was the most important person for Bolton Wanderers that day.

"That penalty save in the 44th minute was pivotal – it was a massive save.

"Keith is a humble person but we all gave him the credit he deserved – it was a fantastic save.

"When Branners saved the penalty I made the decision immediately to change it.

"I walked to the centre circle as soon as the half-time whistle went and spoke to the referee to tell him I was making a substitution.

"I told him then went into the dressing room to tell the players.

"I took Neil McDonald off and put Fabian de Freitas on and it paid off for us.

"It is a unique match because it means so much to the fans and the football club as a whole.

"To win promotion at the end of it makes it an enormous match with huge benefits both financially for the club and for everyone connected to be going into the Premier League like we did 20 years ago and like Norwich have just achieved.

"It was a special time.

"I had a great chairman in Gordon Hargreaves – we met every Thursday for a meal and it was more than a manager-chairman relationship.

"Thankfully, we got the just rewards for all our efforts.

"I had two promotions and a League Cup final appearance in three years with Bolton and it was such a special time for me.

"One thing that always sticks out is the fantastic relationship between the players and the fans.

"I still keep tabs on those players.

"A lot of them have gone on to have good careers in the game and I still follow their progress.

"Stubbsy recently took Hibernian to a play-off and Phil Brown won promotion with Southend last weekend.

"They are just two who have gone on to do well."

See tomorrow's The Bolton News for a special 20th-anniversary feature on that play-off final, including what that squad is doing now.