Bolton Wanderers were defeated by a single Bradley Dack goal against Blackburn Rovers at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday evening.
Team News
Since the team's last outing against Stoke City, manager Phil Parkinson made just one change for the visit of Blackburn Rovers, that being David Wheater replacing Marc Wilson in the starting eleven.
First Half
A freekick was given to to Wanderers on the 17th minute mark, as a brilliant bit of link-up play from Will Buckley and Joe Williams saw the latter fouled in a dangerous area.
Josh Magennis stood over the dead ball, but his powerful drive towards goal was deflected by the Blackburn wall.
Two minutes later and Williams had a chance of his own, as a built up bit of pressure from Wanderers saw the ball fall to him on the half-volley.
However, his strike wasn’t the cleanest as it glanced wide.
Rovers then took the lead on the 22nd minute through Bradley Dack.
A ball over the top saw an effort on goal which was saved initially by Remi Matthews.
The follow up from Harrison Reed was again blocked, this time from David Wheater but at the third attempt, Dack calmly slotted the ball home from eight yards.
Wanderers responded with a chance of their own five minutes on through Will Buckley.
Jason Lowe found the winger in space on the left wing, before cutting inside and curling an effort nearly past David Raya, but the Blackburn shot stopper tipped it around the post.
From the resulting corner, Josh Magennis rose highest and powered down a header towards goal, but Raya was equal to it as it got a hand to it and tipped it over the crossbar.
Ten minutes to go in the half and Reed was through again for Rovers, but once again Wheater was on him quickly and got his body in the way to divert the ball out of play.
Shortly before half time and Josh Magennis had a header cleared off the line.
After a high looping ball was deflected up, Magennis got first to it in an aerial duel and lopped it over Raya.
But, Charlie Mulgrew was on hand for the visitors to head away the certain goal.
Second Half
Moving into the second period and Wanderers had the first chance through Pawel Olkowski.
The Polish right back through himself into a challenge with a Blackburn defender with so much force, the out coming ball nearly looped over Raya into the Rovers goal.
With just over 20 minutes to go and some intricate pass-and-move football between Oztumer and Williams released Jonathan Grounds.
The full back tried to power his cross along with the six yard line, but found Raya’s gloves.
Wanderers had the majority of the possession, but Blackburn had the next chance through substitute Adam Armstrong.
With the Whites playing a high line, Rovers counted with a ball over the top for the winger to latch onto.
Showing his pace, he sprinted down the right channel and unleashed a venomous effort on goal from a tight angle.
Matthews was more than equal to it, palming the ball away and stopping the visitors doubling the deficit.
Joe Williams came close with a long range effort, but a deflection took the sting out of the shot as it nestled into Raya’s hands.
Into the last ten minutes and Phil Parkinson’s men were throwing everything at the Blackburn defence, with the final ball just evading them from scoring the equaliser.
Christian Doidge came on as a second half substitute and had a looping header saved by Raya acrobatically with five minutes of regular time to play.
With three minutes to play, the referee pointed to the spot as Doidge was fouled inside the area.
However, after consulting with his linesman, the decision was changed to an offside call on the Welshman.
Five minutes of additional time was allowed and still the Whites pressed for the equalising goal.
Unfortunately, it wasn't to be as the referee blew for the full-time whistle.
Full Time
Wanderers XI: Matthews, Lowe, Oztumer, Buckley (Wildschut 45), Noone (Dyer 66), Hobbs, Olkowski, J. Williams, Magennis, Grounds (Doidge 78), Wheater (C)
Unused substitutes: B. Williams, Vela, Wilson, O’Neil.