The big Dane reverted back to his favoured forward position in the absence of Kevin Davies and El-Hadji Diouf and he took just six minutes to break the deadlock with a neatly headed goal from Gary Speed's left wing cross.

Charlton responded within a few minutes when a powerful free kick from distance by defender Talal El-Karkouri flew into the back of the Bolton net after goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen had misjudged the situation..

Wanderers forced an enormous amount of pressure throughout the game and only they will know how the scoreline stayed level at the end of the ninety minutes, although it has to be said that referee Lee Probert missed a blatent penalty appeal when Addicks midfielder Amdy Faye hacked down Kevin Nolan in the area..

The hosts should have got their noses in front on the half hour but Nicolas Anelka headed wide after Stelios Giannakopoulos had delivered an inch perfect cross into the area from the right flank. Sadly for the Frenchman Anelka, he was withdrawn through injury soonafter and now looks to be doubtful for the next game at Watford.

His replacement Andranik Teimourian put on a lively showing in midfield as Kevin Nolan moved forward to support the attack, but without the usual three of Anelka, Davies and Diouf the Wanderers struggled to break down the Charlton defence.

The second half was mainly all Bolton and it seemed like a winning goal would eventually come sooner rather than later. In the opening exchanges of the second period Addicks on-loan keeper Scott Carson was tested with a Pedersen volley, an effort from Nolan and a low range drive from substitute Teimourian but none of the chances really hurt the visitors.

Nolan blazed over into the family stand after a shot from Ricardo Vaz-Te was blocked and Bolton had another penalty appeal turned down when El-Karkouri appeared to handle Henrik Pedersen's attempted shot.

Winger Jerome Thomas had Charlton's best chance of the game as the contest reached it conclusion when racing clear of Tal Ben-Haim but the former Arsenal youngster could only shoot straight at the legs of Bolton keeper Jaaskelainen..

Vaz-Te then missed an open goal at the other end when failing to fling himself at a delightful Nicky Hunt cross as Bolton once again dropped points against Charlton.

The pre-game fireworks overawed the Reebok Stadium but unfortunately it proved to be a pretty bleak January for Bolton who must now travel to Watford on Saturday and get a positive result.

Bolton Wanderers: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Nicky Hunt, Abdoulaye Faye (Tal Ben-Haim), Abdoulaye Meite, Ricardo Gardner, Kevin Nolan, Ivan Campo, Gary Speed, Stelios Giannakopoulos (Ricardo Vaz-Te), Nicolas Anelka (Andranik Teimourian), Henrik Pedersen

Subs Not Used: Idan Tal, Ian Walker (GK)

Charlton Athletic: Scott Carson, Osei Sankofa, Talal El-Karkouri, Hermann Hreidarsson, Ben Thatcher, Dennis Rommedahl (Kevin Lisbie), Amdy Faye, Bryan Hughes (Souleymane Diawara), Matt Holland, Jerome Thomas, Marcus Bent (Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink)

Subs Not Used: Darren Ambrose, Darren Randolph (GK)

Referee:

Lee Provert

Attendance:

22,357

Booked:

Talal El-Karkouri (Charlton)

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