A Great Point – Bolton 1-1 Latics

Wigan Athletic put in a gutsy performance to come from a goal behind at the Reebok last night to grab a share of the spoils in a hard fought 1-1 draw.

With Latics loanee Ali Al-Habsi ineligible to play against Bolton there was a surprise recall for Chris Kirkland, also back in the side was Maynor Figueroa giving the back four a more balanced look about it.

Tom Cleverley had to leave the pitch on 12 minutes when, following a shove in the back from Bolton defender Cahill, Cleverley pulled up sharply appearing to pull his hamstring, he was replaced by Momo Diame.

The first half saw the Latics go the closest when they were awarded a free-kick almost 35 yards out, up stepped Rodallega to hit a thunderous curling effort that Bolton keeper Jaaskelainen just managed to push out at full stretch.

The second half saw Latics go a goal behind just 9 minutes in. Gary Caldwell took a quick free kick which wasn`t to the liking of fussy match referee Phil Dowd, who not only made Caldwell take the kick again but also booked him for his troubles.

This appeared to shake Caldwell who hit the ball to Alcaraz, the Paraguay international passed back to Caldwell who appeared to have his mind on the booking and ran the ball out for a Bolton throw.

Robinson took a quick throw-in, the Bolton midfield ran the ball towards the Latics goal playing in Moreno who coolly slipped the ball passed an advancing Kirkland to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Just five minutes later Kirkland was back in action sliding at the feet of Elmander to clear the danger, unfortunately for the big shot stopper he caught a knee flush in his head and was carried from the field after a lengthy stoppage to be replaced by Mike Pollitt.

Latics drew level on 80 minutes when Rodallega found Gohouri out wide right, the Ivory Coast international hit a first time cross low and hard to the far post where Ronnie Stam was sliding in to make it 1-1.

The Latics held on for a well earned point, there were EIGHT minutes of stoppage time, but Bolton couldn`t get past Mike Pollitt or Latics resolute defending.

Teams
Bolton:

Jaaskelainen; Robinson, Cahill, Muamba, Taylor (Blake 90), Elmander, Knight, Davies K, Davies M, Ricketts, Rodrigo (Petrov 82)
Subs:Bogdan; Petrov, Blake, Alonso

Latics:

Kirkland (Pollitt 62); Gohouri, Alcaraz, Caldwell G, Thomas, Watson, Cleverley (Diame 12), McArthur, Rodallega, Stam (McManaman 90+4), Figueroa
Subs:Pollitt; Gomez, Caldwell S, Diame, López, McManaman, Robinson