Match Report : 21/12/2013

Report: Bolton 1-1 Charlton

Kevin McNaughton scored his first goal in a Bolton shirt as Wanderers recorded a 1-1 draw against Charlton Athletic at the Reebok Stadium.

The full-back fired home on the stroke of half time to cancel out Yann Kermorgant's earlier strike and despite a second half rally from the Whites, they were ultimately forced to settle for a solitary point on a bitterly cold afternoon in BL6.

Ahead of the clash, Dougie Freedman made one change to the side which faced Wigan Athletic last time out with Chris Eagles coming into the starting line up in place of Darren Pratley, while Mark Davies was named on the bench following on from his cameo appearance against the Latics.

Neither side were able to take charge of proceedings inside the opening stages of the clash, with a number of gritty challenges and ambitious passes resulting in very little goalmouth action.

Having struggled to make their mark early on, the visitors almost stunned the Reebok as Lawrie Wilson found himself in on goal with ten minutes on the clock but he fired his effort well wide of the far post, while Yann Kermorgant had Andrew Lonergan scrambling for the bottom corner with his testing shot.

No sooner had the Addicks enjoyed an opportunity to break the deadlock however, they went on to find the back of Wanderers' net through Kermorgant who powered home through a crowded penalty area with 12 minutes gone after good work from Rhoys Wiggins.

With a goal under their belts, Charlton proceeded to pepper Lonergan's goal with Cameron Stewart's unmarked header from close range almost punishing the Whites further, but he failed to hit the target.

Despite finding themselves under an onslaught of pressure however, Bolton still looked dangerous on the counter attack with Andre Moritz & Neil Danns working tirelessly in a bid to bring Wanderers level.

Eagles also went close for the Whites with his mazy run into the area forcing a smart save out of Ben Alnwick from close range, while Chung-Yong Lee saw his header cleared off the line with the Reebok faithful already on their feet.

With Wanderers seemingly growing in confidence after such an early setback, Lee enjoyed another glorious chance to equalise after Moritz played a lofty pass into his path, but the Korean failed to get any real contact on the ball with the goal at his mercy.

Undeniably on top in the clash, the Whites looked certain to pull level with just three minutes of the half left after Lee pulled the ball back from the by-line into the path of Joe Mason who attempt a deft shot under pressure, but the striker was denied from a matter of yards out.

With it seeming as though Charlton were going to head into the break with their lead intact however, Kevin McNaughton ensured that wasn't to be the case as he curled the ball home on the stroke of half time following good work from Eagles.

Back on level terms, Bolton began the second period which more vigour than they had done the first, with Lee & Eagles combining well inside the opening minutes of the half on a counter attack which ultimately came to nothing.

Having come close to finding the back of the net earlier in the game, Mason looked to have given Wanderers the lead with 51 minutes gone as he powered a header towards goal, but Alnwick was on his guard to palm the ball away.

Not to be deterred however, Charlton enjoyed a chance of their own to retake the lead as Kermorgant unleashed a looping volley from just outside the area, but Lonergan was equal to it and was able to push the ball over the crossbar.

No sooner had they threatened though, Wanderers were back piling on the pressure with Eagles running the Addicks' defence riot down the left flank and McNaughton finding himself in a much more forward role than usual down the right.

A knock sustained by Lonergan halted play briefly, but once back underway Davies was introduced into the fold with 18 minutes left in place of Lee as the Whites went all out for the win.

Having struggled to make any real impression on the second half, Chris Solly enjoyed a glorious opportunity to put Charlton back in front as he found himself unmarked just inside the box, but he proceeded to fire his shot over the crossbar.

As the clock ran down and with the visitors virtually penned in their own half of the pitch, Jermaine Beckford and Rob Hall were thrown into the mix for extra firepower.

With four minutes of added time indicated it was all hands to the pump for Bolton as the Whites threw men forward in their numbers, but Jay Spearing's shot over the bar was to be as close as they came as the game ended all square.
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