Match Report: Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Blackpool

A determined performance from Wanderers secured important point in a hard-fought match against local rivals Blackpool at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Wanderers’ showed yet another solid defensive display as they claimed their second clean sheet in five games under boss Keith Hill.

The manager made just one change to his side that narrowly lost to Portsmouth, Denis Politic coming in for the injured Will Buckley.

Wanderers started brightly when Dennis Politic managed to work some space down the right, but his out-swinging cross was headed clear.

Blackpool then had a free kick in a dangerous area following a mistimed tackled from Liam Bridcutt, but the resulting cross led to a foul on ‘keeper Remi Matthews.

Thibaud Verlinden worked himself into enough space for a cross following a nice bit of skill but the eventual ball was slightly too high for Ali Crawford.

Wanderers continued to cause the visitors problems, Crawford finding the head of Jack Hobbs who could only direct his header straight into the gloves of Jak Alnwick, brother of Ben Alnwick.

Callum Guy’s cross found Feeney at back post after the ball evaded every Bolton defender but his resulting effort from close range thundered off the crossbar and out of danger.

Callum Guy’s deflected pass found Armand Gnanduillet in space in the centre of the box, but Hobbs did brilliantly to prevent the attacker from getting a shot off.

Then a fantastic tackle from Lowe allowed him to find Verlinden who slotted in Politic, however his shot was saved well by Alnwick.

Whites were then forced into an early substitution, with Sonny Graham coming on to replace the injured Bridcutt.

Moments later, we were treated to more great skill from Verlinden who managed to engineer enough space for the cross however the eventual ball evaded the head of Politic.

Crawford nearly replicated his stunning free-kick against Rochdale with a delightful effort which forced Alnwick into a diving save.

Wanderers started on the front in the second half, Daryl Murphy doing brilliantly to keep possession near the corner flag before finding Politic whose ambitious effort was deflected behind for a corner.

Joe Dodoo nearly scored with his first-ever touch for the Whites, but his header was deflected behind for yet another Bolton corner.

Once again Verlinden worked his magic to get a cross off but Dodoo struggled to make proper contact with his header.

Graham did excellently to beat his man down the right wing, but the younger’s cross fell straight to the Blackpool defender

Dodoo forced a great save from short range which was parried to a Whites attacker who picked out the striker again, however his second attempt flashed agonisingly wide of the far post.

Former Wanderers’ midfielder Jay Spearing powered a long-range effort following a defensive clearance, but his shot went wide of the target.

Verlinden expertly found Daryl Murphy whose effort forced a brilliant block from Curtis Tilt who could only redirect his strike for a corner.

Wanderers endured a lot of late pressure from the Seasiders, conceding four consecutive corners, however, they managed to hold on for a well-deserved point.

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