The Wanderers where looking to record their third straight home victory of the season and things where looking good in the opening moments of the first half as the hosts created a number of chances and had a fair bit of the possession.

Within the opening minutes a deft backheel from El-Hadji Diouf and an excellent threaded pass by Kevin Nolan set up Nicolas Anelka for the first chance of the game but the French striker could not force Bolton into the lead.

On seven minutes Wanderers midfielder Gary Speed nearly made it two goals in two games as his shot from Ivan Campo's short free kick just dipped over the crossbar of Boro goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

A minute or so later saw the visitors record their first effort on goal but Fabio Rochembach's powerful free kick from distance sailed over the top of Jussi Jaaskelainen's goalmouth.

England youth prospect James Morrison also went close for Middlesbrough shortly after the quarter hour mark as his drive from the right hand side of the midfield deflected off Bolton wing back Quinton Fortune. Fortunately for Bolton their Finnish keeper Jaaskelainen had followed the direction of the ball to produce a fine save.

Boro midfielder Rochembach again used his skill of shooting from distance to good effect but the effort from the former Sporting Lisbon man was comfortably gathered by Jaaskelainen who was being kept busy.

Also kept busy was opposing keeper Schwarzer who had to be alert in the closing moments of the first half. Firstly, Bolton's record signing Anelka fired in two shots, one of which seemed destined to fly into the bottom left hand corner and the other which went over the bar.

Ivan Campo also went close to breaking the deadlock but his curling free kick was ushered to safety by Schwarzer. Makeshift central defender Abdoulaye Faye lifted a further Bolton effort over the top as referee Steve Bennett drew the half to a close.

Boro began to impose themselves more on the game throughout the opening stages of the second half and this was evident in the 50th minute when they produced a fine team move involving four players which nearly lead to an opening goal by midfielder Jason Euell.

The Wanderers where by no means silent in the second period though as Campo fired in another superb free kick soonafter. In this instance the ex-Madrid man produced an even closer effort which just curled around Schwarzer's left hand post.

Later in the game Campo had another half chance for Bolton as did substitute Ricardo Vaz-Te but Middlesbrough where to point the finger towards their lone striker Yakubu for being wasteful in front of goal.

The Nigerian lashed in a superb shot from distance which was saved excellently by Jaaskelainen but the ex-Portsmouth favourite was to miss a later chance which cost the Teesiders dearly.

Bolton brought on Idan Tal in place of the otherwise quiet Kevin Nolan and the Israeli international almost earned Sam Allardyce's team their second penalty in as many matches.>/p>

Boro's inexperienced full back Andrew Taylor appeared to fell the midfielder in the penalty area but referee Bennett waved away any appeals from the Wanderers players.

With three minutes remaining Yakubu could have so easily snatched the three points for Boro after being put in a glorious position by team mate Euell. However, the African placed his shot the wrong side of Jaaskelainen's left post much to the relief of the Reebok Stadium faithful.

Bolton now hit the road for the first of two matches, the first of which will be a league cup encounter against high flying Coca Cola league side Walsall in midweek.

Bolton Wanderers: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Tal Ben-Haim, Abdoulaye Faye, Abdoulaye Meite, Quinton Fortune, Kevin Nolan (Idan Tal), Ivan Campo, Gary Speed, Stelios Giannakopoulos (Ricardo Vaz-Te), Nicolas Anelka, El-Hadji Diouf

Subs Not Used: Nicky Hunt, Andranik Teimourian, Ian Walker

Boro: Mark Schwarzer, Andrew Davies, Jonathan Woodgate, Emmanuel Pogatetz, Andrew Taylor, James Morrison (Stuart Parnaby), Jason Euell, Fabio Rochemback, Adam Johnson (Gaizka Mendieta), Yakubu Ayegbeni

Subs Not Used: Massimo Maccarone, Matthew Bates, Ross Turnbull

Referee:

Steve Bennett

Attendance:

21,164

Booked:

Adam Johnson (Middlesbrough)

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