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Gary Megson watched from the bench as Bolton drew 1-1 with SC Braga in the UEFA Cup. Substitute El-Hadji Diouf gave Bolton the lead in the 66th minute before Jailson equalised four minutes from time. In a fairly quiet and uninspiring game, Nicolas Anelka had the first chance of the game, with goalkeeper Paulo Santos making a comfortable save from a free-kick. Anelka was involved in the next attack, crossing for Kevin Davies who only succeeded in heading over the bar. The French international was once again at the heart of Bolton's attacking play and should have given the hosts the lead. Picking on a slip from Alberto Rodriguez, Anelka tried a 30-yard lob but the effort was easily saved by Santos. Braga were failing to make any impact on the game and could have been behind soon after with Gary Speed heading wide of goal. The second half started very slowly and Braga made the first opening on 64 minutes, with Wenderson Wender picking out Jorginho who forced Jussi Jaaskelainen into a smart save from a tight angle. Braga were made to rue the missed opportunity 2 minutes later when Diouf headed home at the back post after a good cross from Davies. The visitors were pushing forward for an equaliser straight away and when Ze Manuel was brought down by Andy O'Brien in the area, most people expected a penalty to be awarded, but the Slovenian referee told Manuel to get to his feet. Jaaskelainen kept Bolton in front inside the final ten minutes, somehow saving a swerving shot from Paulo Peixoto after he had dived the other way. Davies almost sealed the points with five minutes to go, getting behind the Braga defence but his shot rebounded off the post with the goalkeeper beaten. To add insult to injury, the Portuguese outfit went straight up the other end and managed to equalise. After some ball watching by the Wanderers defence, a hopeful ball from the right was met by Jailson who beat Jaaskelainen with a looping header. Bolton went in search of a winner from the restart but efforts from Gerald Cid and Gavin McCann were to no aveil and the Trotters had dropped two points. Their next UEFA Cup game sees them visit the Allianz Arena to face German giants and tournament favourites Bayern Munich. |
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