There was an almighty scramble in the fourth minute as Jaaskelainen's goal kick was only half cleared by Hanchoz. Matt Jansen pounced on the loose ball and tried to force in the rebound, but the ball was hastily cleared.

After a slightly nervous start, Latics began to find their feet in the Reebok Stadium. They looked confident in the early stages as they passed the ball around. However, it was clear Bolton were just waiting for the right time to hit on the counter attack, and sure enough the chances for Allardyce's men would come.

But Arjan De Zeeuw could count himself lucky in the 11th minute when his mistake almost led to a Bolton opener. The defender's soft header back to Pollitt was intercepted by Kevin Davies. The striker rushed towards the goal, but Pollitt made a fine challenge to clear the ball out of play.

The Trotters threatened again two minutes later, when Stelios' free-kick was pumped into the box, and all Pollitt could do was smother the danger and leave Henchoz to clear the danger.

Pollitt was once again called into action in the 17th minute when Matt Jansen held the ball off from Henchoz\ in the penalty area to leave David free to strike it. But the Latics 'keeper dived towards his near post and made the save.

Wanderers were dealt a blow when Khalilou Fadiga had to be stretchered off half way through the first half after injuring his knee. The Nigerian looked to be in some pain, and he had to be replaced by Nicky Hunt.

As the first half wore on, Latics seemed to gain more possession. Reto Ziegler's free-kick in the 33rd minute was only half cleared by the Bolton defence, and the ball fell to Gary Teale, but his first time shot was charged down and the ball cleared away from the box.

Four minutes later, Jimmy Bullard received the ball from Mellor's lay off and almost had a clear view of the goal, but as soon as he entered the penalty box he was quickly closed down by two Bolton defenders.

And moments later, Neil Mellor squandered a superb chance as he saw his shot fly wide of near post.

In the 39th minute, Henchoz's long ball found Paul Scharner, who lept above Nicky Hunt, and his header saw the ball loop over Jussi Jaaskelainen's cross bar at the near post.

Half-Time: Bolton 0 - 0 Latics

Bolton always looked a threat from their throw-ins, and could have capitalised on the hour. Kevin Nolan threw the ball into the box, and substitute Vaz Te's overhead kick saw the ball fly over the bar.

Wanderers came even closer to breaking the deadlock a minute later. Vaz Te this time provided the opportunity as his cross was perfect for Mexican striker Jared Borgetti at the far post. His downward header looked like sneaking past Pollitt, but the Latics 'keeper made a brilliant block with his body.

But Bolton did score in the 64th minute. Bruno N'Gotty pumped the ball forward from a free-kick, and it totally eluded the Latics defence. The ball fell to Greek midfielder STELIOS, who nipped in at the far post to sidefoot the ball past Pollitt from close range.

The home side looked in control, but they should have made better of a chance six minutes after they took the lead. Stelios squared to the captain Kevin Nolan at the edge of the penalty box, but his attempted drive was wasteful as the ball curled harmlessly away from the target.

In the 75th minute, Vaz Te tried to double Bolton's advantage in spectacular manner. He took two touches before turning to unleash a half-volley, but his shot was straight at Mike Pollitt.

Latics then equalised after N'Gotty fouled Swedish substitute Johansson in the 77th minute. From the free-kick, Reto Ziegler drilled the ball low and Jaaskelainen could only parry it to Andreas JOHANSSON who had the simple task of tapping it into the net from six yards.

The goal seemed to spur Latics on, as just two minutes later Gary Teale crossed from the right flank, and it was Johansson who managed to connect his header to the ball, but it was an easy save for Finnish goalkeeper Jaaskelainen.

The action almost immediately switched to the other end of the pitch. Pascal Chimbonda earned himself a yellow card after a rough tackle on Kevin Nolan at the edge of the box, but thankfully Stelio's free-kick was blocked.

Jimmy Bullard had a superb chance to steal a winner on the counter attack. He turned past his marker at the edge of the box before rifling a low shot, but it was disappointingly a couple of yards wide of the near post.

Latics were given an indirect free-kick in stoppage time after Jaaskelainen received a back pass from N'Gotty. Ziegler sent the ball across the box, and David Thompson just managed to get a shot in, but it was deflected by a wall of White shirts.

The second time this week, Latics were not firing on all cylinders but have still salvaged something out of the game. This was a hard earned point, and it also means our local rivals have failed to beat us this season.

Full-Time: Bolton 1 - 1 Latics

Latics Starting Line-Up: Pollitt, Chimbonda, Henchoz, De Zeeuw (c), Baines (Thompson 66), Teale, Bullard, Kavanagh, Ziegler, Scharner, Mellor (Johansson 66).

Unused Substitutes: Walsh, Jackson, Johansson, Francis, Thompson.

Bolton Starting Line-Up: Jaaskelainen, Nolan (c), N'Gotty, Stelios, Gardner, Davies (Borgetti 53), Nakata, Jansen (Vaz Te 46), O'Brien, Ben Haim, Fadiga (Hunt 23).

Unused Substitutes: Walker, Fojut.

Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)