By Mark Heys
March 11 2008

An inexperienced Bolton Wanderers reserve side consisting mainly of Academy players battled well when taking a point off their Middlesbrough counterparts at the Central Avenue ground in Billingham on Tuesday evening.

Coach Jimmy Phillips was forced into giving one or two of the younger players their first action at this level due to a number of the second string being required to travel with the first team for Thursday's UEFA Cup game against Sporting Lisbon.

Winger Tom Brooks had the first effort of the game within the first five minutes but the shot from the Bolton midfielder from 25-yards was unable to test goalkeeper Jason Steele.

Boro themselves went close in the opening minutes when Richard Smallwood was unlucky to see his effort come back off the post after Graeme Owens and Ashley Corker had done well in the build up.

Cypriot teenager Marcus Michail, making his first appearance for Bolton at this level, went close for the Wanderers soonafter with the youngster bending a shot just around Steele's post.

The hosts had a couple of players with first team experience in their line up including Andrew Taylor and Tony McMahon and it was the latter who forced Bolton keeper Robert Lainton into making a good save at the second time of asking.

Jonathan Franks and Owens had efforts go wide of the mark for Middlesbrough and Rhys Williams struck the post once again as Bolton rode their luck somewhat.

Smallwood and Stephen Thompson forced good saves from Lainton early in the second half but Boro where unable to break down the Bolton resistance in what was a good performance from the Trotters.

Striker Danny Ward had an effort for Bolton from distance in the closing stages but it was unable to beat Steele and the young side held out for a very good point away from home.

BOLTON WANDERERS RESERVES: Robert Lainton, Stuart McDonald, Matthew Carlisle, David Gbermie, Chris Stokes, Sam Sheridan, Leslie Thompson, Michael Burns (Michael O'Halloran), Marcus Michail (Aaron Mooy), Tom Brooks, Danny Ward

SUBS NOT USED: Tom Brocklehurst

MIDDLESBROUGH RESERVES: Jason Steele, Tony McMahon, John Johnson, Rhys Williams, Andrew Taylor (Theo Furness), Graeme Owens, Richard Smallwood, Ashley Corker, Nathan Porritt, Stephen Thompson, Jonathan Franks

SUBS NOT USED: Sam Filler, Jason White, Jonathan Harris, James Cronsbury