Report: Bolton Wanderers v Reading

Jack Hobbs' first goal for the club earned Wanderers a deserved share of the spoils against Reading

The visitors had drawn first blood in the clash, with Nelson Oliveira slotting home from the penalty spot after Modou Barrow had been fouled in the box by Pawel Olkowski.

But Hobbs' header two minutes into injury time ensured that the game ended all square.

Team News

Seventeen-year-old Luca Connell handed his full league debut by Phil Parkinson as he started in midfield.

Joe Pritchard also made the bench after his impressive performance at Bristol City in the Emirates FA Cup.

First Half

Both teams were hungry for the three points, and it was evident in their respective first half displays.

Bolton saw a lot of the possession in the opening 20 minutes, however it was Reading who saw the first real chance of the opening minutes.

It was Modou Barrow who cut the ball back across the Bolton box to Nelson Oliveira, who did everything right, but couldn’t find the net from six yards out.

Connell was impressive early on in his full league debut with some neat touches and passes, and besides the early Oliveira scare, Bolton looked comfortable, with both teams cancelling the others' attacking ideas out.

Sone Aluko had an effort deflected away for a corner in the 41st minute by Andrew Taylor that looked like it was creeping in, with Reading enjoying possession in Bolton’s half as the half drew to its conclusion.

At the break however, the teams went in with the scores goalless.

Second Half

Bolton continued to look the more likely to score in the early stages of the second half.

A 48th minute cross from Craig Noone found Gary O’Neil, but he found no luck with his head.

Connell was quick to show confidence well past his years with a full-volley attempt from just outside the box, which Walker comfortably saved.

Bolton defended maturely and looked dangerous on the attack as Clayton Donaldson dummied a slick pass through to O’Neil, whose shot didn’t trouble the goalkeeper.

Reading’s first chance of the half meanwhile came on the hour mark as Nelson Oliveira fired a shot at goal straight at Remi Matthews which he saved.

Donaldson then produced a brilliant effort, nearly catching Sam Walker out on the volley from 20 yards.

From nowhere though, Reading found themselves a goal up after Olkowski brought down Barrow in the area, resulting in a penalty, which Oliveira buried into the bottom left corner.

Bolton then had the ball in the net through Will Buckley, but the effort was disallowed for offside.

The possession was shared in the latter stages as most of Bolton’s attacks were dealt with by Reading, forming counter-attacks of their own.

As it seemed that time had ran out for Bolton however, Hobbs powered a header past Sam Walker to equalise in the 92nd minute.

Wanderers fans urged their team to attack, feeling they could even grab a winner, but it was not to be, and the referee blew his whistle on a gritty, cagey affair that couldn’t separate the two teams.

Bolton: Matthews, Taylor, Lowe, Donaldson, Ameobi, Noone (Buckley 67'), Hobbs, Olkowski (Magennis 79'), O’Neil, Wheater (C), Connell (Pritchard 72')

Reading: Martinez, Gunter (McCleary 61'), Yiadom, Moore (C), Bacuna, Swift (Blackett 83'), Aluko, Barrow, Miazga, Oliveira (Loader 90'), Rinomhota

Read Time: 3 mins