Latics and Bolton Share Spoils

Latics and Bolton played out a 1-1 draw at the DW Stadium yesterday in a game that Hugo Rodallega could have put his side out of sight with a hat-trick if he had had his shooting boots on.

Bolton came out the blocks the stronger and tried to dominate the game early on with their physical style, pressing and harrying the Latics the visitors had the best of the first 30 minutes with Kevin Davies going close with both a header and a volley.

Latics midfield man James McCarthy was stretchered off on 30 minutes following a heavy challenge from Muamba and Latics boss Roberto Martinez altered the shape of his team with the introduction of Momo Diame.

Diame was influential in the Latics midfield as the home side ended the first half the strongest, N`Zogbia going close on two occasions cutting in from the right and unleashing typical strikes for the little Frenchman, the first skimming inches wide and the second hitting Bolton defender Cahill on the back of the head when destined for the far corner of the net.

The second half saw the Latics continue with their new found superiority and Rodallega should have done much better when a mistake from Steinsson left the Latics forward with an open goal to shoot at, unfortunately Rodallega put his effort over the bar when he should have been making the net bulge.

Rodallega made no mistake minutes later though, N`Zogbia played a delightful ball to Di Santo who fed Rodallega and the Colombia international coolly slotted beyond Jaaskelainen from 10 yards.

Bolton responded by throwing on two substitutes, Taylor and Moreno but it was a mistake by Latics skipper Alcaraz that left Elmander free in the box to poke home for the equaliser.

Latics pressed for a winner, Rodallega missed a glorious chance with a free header at the back post when he put his chance wide when it looked easier to score, sub Tom Cleverley went close with a couple of rasping efforts before Howard Webb brought a close to proceedings and both teams took a share of the spoils.