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Bolton picked up a deserved point from their trip to St.James' Park after holding Newcastle to a goalless draw. Gary Megson included new signing's Gretar Steinsson and Matt Taylor in the starting line-up and Gavin McCann returned to the side as Wanderers looked to spoil Kevin Keegan's return to management. Bolton had the better of the opening stages, with Andy O'Brien and Kevin Nolan forcing Shay Given into a couple of early saves as the visitors piled on the early pressure with three corners inside the opening five minutes. Matt Taylor was next to try his luck, but once again Given made a comfortable save down to his right as the shot lacked power. At the other end, newly-installed captain Michael Owen tried to unlock the Bolton defence, but after setting up Damien Duff, his shot was deflected out for a corner and the move petered-out. Jussi Jaaskelainen was being kept quiet by some fantastic defending, with Kevin Davies helping out his side as the Magpies forced a succession of corners as they looked to increase the pressure. Andy O'Brien, playing against his former club, was a true leader at the back for Bolton, blocking shots from James Milner and Charles N'Zogbia and keeping the scores level after the break. Nolan was booked for a foul on Owen ten minutes into the second period, and Andy O'Brien was fortunate not to follow after a foul on Ameobi soon after. N'Zogbia fired a free-kick over Jaaskelainen's crossbar just before the hour and Ricardo Gardner prevented Ameobi having a shot on goal with some excellent defending a couple of minutes later. The Finn had to tip over a teasing cross from Milner and the game looked to be heading towards a 0-0 draw. Despite having more of the possession, the home side failed to have any shots on target, and were almost punished in stoppage time when Bolton substitute Jlloyd Samuel found himself unmarked at the back post, but his effort was turned round the post by Given as the visitors almost stole the points. The point leaves Wanderers in 15th place after Saturday's games and they will be hoping to build on an excellent away point by beating Fulham at the Reebok a week on Tuesday. |
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