It looked like we would have to settle for a draw because Jussi Jaaskelainen or the goalposts were denying Pompey the goal they deserved and it looked like things would be even worse when Niko Kranjcar was stretchered off the pitch with an injury that will probably keep him out for the season.
Thankfully, the Bolton 'keeper gifted us the goal we deserved by flapping at Nadir Belhadj's poor corner which allowed Kanu to poke home the winning goal from all of a yard out amongst all of the confusion.
Gary Megson commented in his post-match interview that his side were poor but Pompey weren't much better. That's utter garbage because we were dominant virtually from start to finish, especially in the first half when Glen Johnson came close on numerous occasions but was denied by a combination of Jaaskelainen and the post.
All Wanderers had to show for their efforts was a Johan Elmander chance in the first half that David James did well to save. Matt Taylor had a poor return to Fratton Park with only a "Quashie" shot worth noting from his performance whilst the rest of their team kept fouling our players.
That's a massive credit to all of the Pompey players today who fought tooth and nail to ensure that the momentum was always with us and not allowing Bolton to get into the game. I was especially pleased to see that Younes Kaboul kept his place in the side as he combined well with Johnson once again down the right hand side.
Sean Davis also added an extra influence in the centre of the park that was missing when Richard Hughes was in the side. Kranjcar added a touch of quality to the midfield so it's unfortunate that our only creative spark in the centre is now out for the rest of the season in all likelihood.
To all the Paul Hart bashers last week: What did you make of his substitutions today? Whether the fact that Belhadj and Kanu's first touches resulted in the winning goal was lucky or inspired matters not to me but the introduction of Kanu swung the game in our favour.
Fans joked about how Crouch and Kanu's lightning pace were going to win the game for us but considering that there were many "direct" balls being played by both teams I think it was a good tactic to stick two big men up top to win the big long balls.
And there is nobody better to have up front when defending a lead than Kanu because he holds the ball up so well the opposition usually have to triple up on him to take it from him.
So Paul Hart can take credit for changing the game in our favour. It may have been fortuitous but a lucky manager is better than a good one as they say and Hart's record now reads: played 8, won 3, drawn 4 and lost 1 therefore taking 13 points from 24 available.
You can't argue with that record and it's one I'm confident will keep Pompey in the Premier League after this hard-fought and well deserved win.
Pompey Player Ratings
David James: 7 - One good save from Elmander.
Younes Kaboul: 7 - Another really good performance.
Sol Campbell: 7 - Strong showing.
Sylvain Distin: 7 - Handled Elmander well.
Hermann Hreidarsson: 7 - Solid at the back and provided some threat going forward.
Glen Johnson: 7 - Drove forward well and unlucky not to score.
Sean Davis: 7 - Worked extremely hard.
Hayden Mullins: 5 - Poorest player in the side.
David Nugent: 6 - Gave his all despite his limited role.
Niko Kranjcar: 7 - Good until injured by McCann.
Peter Crouch: 6 - Good touch but didn't threaten.
Substitutes
Asmir Begovic
Noe Pamarot
Nadir Belhadj (Kranjcar 77): N/A - Poor corner led to goal and he may have had one himself after a late surging run.
Richard Hughes
Jermaine Pennant (Kaboul 90): N/A - Only on because Kaboul limped off.
John Utaka
Kanu (Nugent 71): 7 - Swung the game back in our favour.