sport

Bolton 0 Blackburn 0

Simpson and Taylor challenge for the ball.

Bolton manager Gary Megson saw his side carve out a number of good chances but a point was all they took from this gritty local derby.

They were almost made to pay for their poor finishing with Carlos Villanueva hitting the bar and Jason Roberts sending a weak header wide of the post from close range.

While the teeming rain did not help the entertainment value, the supporters from both sides deserved better.

It means Bolton's dismal run against their near neighbours continues - they have never beaten them at home in the Premier League.

However Megson's side almost took the lead inside the first minute when Johan Elmander picked out Fabrice Muamba with a neat ball.

Muamba clipped in a shot that was cleared at the back post by Blackburn skipper Ryan Nelsen on his 31st birthday.

They kept up the pressure and Matt Taylor whipped in a free-kick from distance in the 18th minute. Taylor's effort deceived everyone, only for goalkeeper Paul Robinson to show good reflexes and turn it away at the post.

It was an indication that Robinson had regained his fitness following a calf injury that had kept him on the sidelines.

Bolton were having the majority of possession at this stage and Elmander got clear in the 26th minute. However the Sweden striker was unable to get enough power on his effort and Robinson made a comfortable save.

Bolton defender Gretar Steinsson was then handed a yellow card in the 34th minute for a challenge on Villanueva, who was left on the floor.

Blackburn had picked up the pace a little and Robbie Fowler, making his first league start for the club, flicked the ball into the path of Roberts but he strayed marginally offside.

Villanueva almost made the breakthrough in the 39th minute when he took a pass from Brett Emerton in his stride.

He cracked in a sweet shot that beat goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen but struck the corner of the bar.

Bolton responded and Taylor delivered a good cross from the left a minute later but Nelsen anticipated the situation well and cleared the danger.

Blackburn, though, were beginning to look a threat and defender Christopher Samba headed wide following a free-kick from Emerton in the 43rd minute.

Then Roberts headed wide a minute later from close range following good work again from Emerton.

Bolton were quickly on the attack in the second half and Elmander sent his effort over the bar in the 46th minute after being released by Kevin Nolan.

Club captain Nolan was next to try his luck firing a shot wide following good work by Andy O'Brien.

Blackburn were being pegged pack and Jlloyd Samuel cleared the bar with his effort in the 51st minute following a free-kick from Gavin McCann.

Withe the rain teeming down, the players were having difficulty with their footing and the tackles were beginning to fly in.

O'Brien was left frustrated in the 58th minute when he got clear of his marker but sent a header wide of the post following a corner from Taylor.

However the home side came close to scoring five minutes later when McCann rattled in a shot that was blocked by Samba.

Bolton kept up the pressure and Taylor sent his 20-yard effort wide in the 71st minute after being set up by Ricardo Gardner.

Taylor was not afraid to try his luck on goal but he failed to test Robinson again in the 77th minute from inside the area.

Blackburn hit back and substitute Benni McCarthy found the side netting as the game finished all-square.

Teams:

Bolton Jaaskelainen, Steinsson (Joey O'Brien 77),Andrew O'Brien, Cahill, Samuel, McCann, Davies, Nolan,Muamba (Gardner 69), Taylor (Riga 86), Elmander.

Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Hunt, Smolarek, Shittu.

Booked: Steinsson.

Blackburn Robinson, Simpson, Nelsen, Samba, Ooijer, Emerton,Villanueva (Derbyshire 62), Kerimoglu, Warnock,Fowler (Andrews 74), Roberts (McCarthy 78).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Grella, Khizanishvili, Treacy.

Booked: Simpson, Villanueva, Kerimoglu.

Att: 24,778

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).