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Bolton were made to rue missed opportunities as Sporting Lisbon came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at the Reebok Stadium. Simon Vukcevic cancelled out Gavin McCann's first half strike, which means Bolton must score next week in Lisbon to stand any chance of reaching the quarter-finals. Bolton were handed a setback before kick-off as Jussi Jaaskelainen was injured in the warm up, meaning Ali Al-Habsi took his place in goal and Ian Walker taking his place on the bench. The home side appeared to have the first chance of the game, but Sporting goalkeeper Rui Patricio collided with his own defender and also Wanderers striker Heidar Helguson, with the forward clean through. Rui Patricio appeared to handle the ball way outside his area before clattering into both players, but no action was taken and all three players received threatment on the field. Gary Megson's side had started brightly and took a deserved lead midway through the first half. Nicky Hunt's long ball was flicked on by Kevin Davies. Matt Taylor's shot was blocked but McCann followed up to slot into the bottom corner. But the visitors didn't let it get to them and responded well. Leandro Grimi found playmaker Joao Moutinho inside the area but the talented youngster curled just over Al-Habsi's crossbar. McCann fired just over soon after, before Taylor also saw an effort drift wide of the Sporting goal. The sides went in level at the break and Portuguese side made a change, replacing defender Fernando Abel with Leandro Romagnoli. But Megson's side started the second half just as they did the first and almost doubled their advantage, but were left to rue their luck. Ivan Campo's cross was flicked on by Davies at the near post but Helguson's header crashed against the underside of the crossbar before being cleared to safety. The Icelandic international appeared to be carrying some sort of injury, possibly from his clash in the first half, and made way for Stelios Giannakopoulos just before the hour. Just as the game seemed to be dying down, Sporting had an excellent chance to equalise. Vukcevic cut inside Hunt, but his curling effort came back off the bar with Al-Habsi beaten. But just a minute later, Vukcevic had his goal and a vital away goal for Paulo Bento's side. The lively midfielder exchanged passes with Rodrigo Tiui and struck first time past an exposed Al-Habsi. The Montenegrian playmaker almost put his side infront soon after, but this time forced a fantastic reaction stop from the Bolton goalkeeper at his near post. Sporting appeared to be taking the ascendency but almost fell behind for the second time with just over 10 minutes to go. Campo's corner was met by Taylor, but the former Portsmouth man could only hit his volley straight at Patricio after some poor control. The game ended 1-1 and Sporting will be considered favourites for the return leg next Thursday, with their away goal the telling factor at the half way stage of the tie. |
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