A Well Fought Point

Bolton Wanderers 0 - 0 BORO

BORO put in a battling performance, today, in their scrappy away clash against a Bolton side who surprised most in midweek as they drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich, in Germany.

BORO are staring down the barrel of relegation after they could only drill out a goalless draw away to a Bolton side who had to face a tough test, midweek, against Bayern Munich. BORO's hopes weren't helped, today, as fellow strugglers Spurs ran riot in a 4-0 win over Wigan leaving BORO hovering over the relegation zone.

BORO faced early pressure from Bolton and created very few chances themselves. The Wanderers faithful thought that Gary Speed had opened the scoring just half of an hour into the game, as his free-kick bounced off the outside of the post and rattled the side netting.

Then striker, Kevin Davies, saw his 20-yard effort slide agonisingly past both keeper and goal post.

BORO faced more injury woes as, ironically, Emanuel Pogatetz saw his return to action as he replaced Andrew Taylor who had suffered a foot injury in the 30th minute.

Yet again, BORO mounted a second half revival as Jeremie Aliadiere showed why Gareth Southgate had signed him; linking in, once again, with Tuncay and creating chances with bursts of pace.

But it was Gary O'Neil who was BORO's best player as he worked tirelessly along the right hand side, both attacking and getting back to help in deffence.

Bolton Keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen kept his team in the game, pulling off a series of great saves. First stopping Aliaidere, then denying Stewart Downing from 20-yards out.

BORO were, by far, the stronger team in the dying minutes and could have walked away with a win. But the teams had to settle for a point and a goalless draw.

Attendance: 17,624
BORO Blog BORO Man of the Match: Gary O'Neil