Wanderers were held to a goalless draw against Burton Albion at the University of Bolton Stadium in a Sky Bet League One clash live on Sky Sports.
First Half
Early on in the early stages of the game, Burton dominated possession after a shot on goal by Borthwick Jackson, however the effort went wide after a deflection from the Whites.
After a slow start, Wanderers won a corner that was Wanderers’ captain Antoni Sarcevic latched onto but was saved by Ben Garratt.
Lloyd Isgrove won possession in the middle of park, which gave Dapo Afolayan the chance to open the scorinh line but his the shot went wide.
With 20 minutes gone, the Brewers had a chance on goal where Joe Powell hit a thunder strike but Joel Dixon comfortably saved it.
After winning possession in the middle of the park, the ball was played through into the feet of Eoin Doyle who controlled the ball and took aim at Ben Garratt’s goal, but the goalkeeper produced a double save, with Kieran Lee scoring with the follow-up for Ian Evatt’s men. Bizarrely, the referee scrubbed off the goal due to an apparent offside.
Minutes later, Liam Gordon passed the ball into the 18 yard box but the shot went over the cross bar.
Second Half
The second half got underway and Burton won a free kick on the halfway line from a foul committed by Liam Gordon however Burton’s attempt to attack was ruled offside as soon as they had taken the set-play.
Wanderers won another corner on the far side where Burton goalkeeper Ben Garratt caught the ball but immediately dropped it, with Eoin Doyle winning the ball back and causing a goalmouth scrap in the 18-yard-box. However, the referee blew his whistle for a foul on the visitors.
Quarter of an hour played and Wanderers picked up possession in the middle of the pitch, as Gethin Jones crossed the ball into the Burton box and Dapo Afolayan hit a thunderous effort on target but was denied by the post.
At the other end of the pitch, John Brayford was booked for a foul on Antoni Sarcevic which was crossed in but later resulted in the ball flying over the top of the bar.
Minutes later, the ball was in Burton possession but Eoin Doyle won the ball off the goalkeeper Ben Garrett and found Gethin Jones his effort was inches wide.
With a quarter of an hour left, Ricardo Almeida Santos was dispossessed by Jonny Smith who took a chance on goal however his shot went wide.
Soon after, Wanderers had possession and Jones crossed a floated ball over into the penalty area where Antoni Sarcevic headed the ball over the crossbar.
Afolayan won the ball soon after and passed to Liam Gordon who took his chance but was deflected wide.
As the game came to a close, Burton captain John Brayford received his second yellow and was sent off after a foul on Afolayan.
With stoppage time on the horizon, Wanderers pressed hard and Gethin Jones crossed the ball over to substitute Elias Kachunga in the six yard box however the striker couldn’t connect and Burton received a goal kick.
In the latter stages, Burton won a corner which was headed wide. Wanderers took advantage and started play early.
Seconds later, Wanderers had a chance to grab a late winner but the ball went wide.
In the dying stages the Whites created another chance where Liam Gordon crossed the ball over into the box but was inches away from connecting to Lloyd Isgrove to win it for the Wanderers.
Wanderers XI: Dixon, Jones, Williams, Almeida Santos, Johnston, Doyle, Sarcevic (C), Afolayan, Lee, Isgrove, Gordon.
Subs: Gilks, Delfouneso, Tutte, Brockbank, Kachunga, Thomason, Baptiste.