Wanderers added another point to their Premier League tally, playing out an action packed nil-nil draw at the JJB Stadium.
In one of the most entertaining scoreless games of the season, Bolton and Wigan produced a number of opportunities but couldn't find the single moment of quality in front of goal that would have ensured all three points for the respective team.
Jussi Jaaskelainen was on top form for the Whites producing a number of world class saves in a first half shaded by the hosts, but Gary Megson's troops came out after half-time and dominated proceedings and could have grabbed at least three goals through Cohen, McCann and Davies.
For a second week in succession Ricardo Gardner was unable to be called upon after failing to recover from a hamstring problem, so Tamir Cohen kept his place in midfield after his impressive goalscoring return a week earlier against Aston Villa.
It was a frantic opening to the game, with Wigan hitting the post within the space of two minutes. January acquisition Hugo Rodallega fired goalwards optimistically from just outside of the penalty box, an effort which seemed to catch Jussi Jaaskelainen slightly unaware. The Finnish international parried the shot onto the post and hurt himself in the process, however after treatment from physiotherapist Andy Renshaw, he was able to continue.
It started an early spell of concerted pressure from the hosts which included a well timed block by Andy O'Brien and a fine diving save by Jaaskelainen, who tipped a fizzing left-foot strike from Charles N'Zogbia around the post.
Bolton responded by striking the woodwork themselves. A thunderous volley by Gary Cahill from 20 yards clipped the head of a Wigan defender on its route through to goal. It was a necessary deflection as it took the dipping shot a yard or two higher, looping up over Kirkland and leaving the crossbar shaking for a short while.
In typical derby fashion, the game continued to flow from end to end and Jaaskelainen was forced to make his third telling contribution of the afternoon on 13 minutes when he produced another fine save to thwart Rodallega. It was a stunning block, one of pure reflexes, as he got down low to his right to repel the Colombian striker's snap-shot from close range.
Tamir Cohen headed a Matt Taylor corner onto the roof of the net shortly after as the game settled down to a more accustomed pace.
Rodallega acrobatically volleyed wide after a lightning quick break by right winger Antonio Valencia, Gavin McCann blazed a 30 yard effort the wrong side of the post and Fabrice Muamba, still looking for his first goal for the club, hammered another long range attempt over the crossbar before the game began to get its second wind.
Three minutes before the break, Johan Elmander had his first real sight on goal when he capitalised on some hesitant defending by Titus Bramble. His low effort from a tight angle hit the side netting, with the Swedish international claiming that it took a deflection.
A misplaced pass by Fabrice Muamba on the stroke of half-time handed possession to Mido 30 yards from goal, and the Egyptian forward was confident enough to hit a curling effort that looked for all the world like it was arrowing into the top corner. Again Jaaskelainen was alert, flinging himself high to his right to palm the ball over for a corner.
Even then the first half action wasn't yet complete. Wanderers thought they had got their noses in front when Matt Taylor poked the ball into the net from five yards out, but the assistant referee's flag came to Wigan's rescue and the goal was subsequently chalked off for offside.
Like with the first half, the second period of football started in lively fashion, with a heated mini-fracas helping to add further spice to the encounter. Fabrice Muamba's challenge on Antonio Valencia left the winger needing treatment, much to the anger of the home supporters.
Mario Melchiot was withdrawn at half-time, presumably through injury, and Steve Bruce again had to make another defensive minded change only seven minutes later when Paul Scharner made way for Erik Edman.
The first real goalscoring chance of the second half came on the hour mark when Tamir Cohen's strength helped tee up a shot from distance by Gavin McCann. Unfortunately for Bolton it was scuffed harmlessly wide, however the midfielder came much closer only a minute later when he forced Chris Kirkland into a point-blank stop from a tight angle following an excellent headed flick-on by Johan Elmander.
It was Wanderers' brightest period of the game, but Wigan responded with a clear cut chance of their own - Mido displaying a lack of composure, dragging a shot wide of the far post when he had ample time.
Johan Elmander saw a left foot strike from just outside of the box take a wicked deflection before floating agonisingly wide of the post. From the resulting corner, Gary Cahill planted a header back into a packed six-yard box and Tamir Cohen towered to nod just over the bar.
Steve Bruce's final substitution with 75 minutes on the clock was an Egyptian swap of Zaki for Mido, whilst Gary Megson responded with an attacking change of his own, replacing Tamir Cohen with Riga.
As the game approached its latter stages, both sides continued to press for the decisive goal as firstly Kevin Davies took his time and belted the ball high with his weaker left foot and then Michael Brown, unmarked, headed the wrong side of the post.
Four minutes of injury time were signalled by the fourth official, in which Kevin Davies had a legitimate shout for a penalty waved away by referee Mr Jones.
The entire team applauded the 3,500-strong army of travelling supporters at the end of the pulsating clash, who made the 10-mile trip back to Bolton happy with their players' efforts.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Samuel, O'Brien, Cahill, Steinsson, Cohen (Riga 78), McCann, Muamba, Davies, Taylor, Elmander (Subs not used: Al Habsi, Puygrenier, Hunt, Makukula, Smolarek, Basham)
Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot (Boyce 46), Scharner (Edman 53), Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Brown, Cattermole, N'Zogbia, Rodallega, Mido (Zaki 75) (Subs not used: Pollitt, de Ridder, Koumas, Watson)
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