Burnley 1 Bolton Wanderers 1: match report

26 December 2009 16:12
It is 45 years since these two Lancashire rivals have met on the top-flight stage yet Burnley and Bolton made up for lost time as they played out an entertaining draw, David Nugent denying the struggling visitors a priceless win with a second half equaliser. [LNB]Matt Taylor had put Gary Megson's side in sight of a rare away victory with an exquisite first half free kick before Nugent marked his return to the starting line up by earning his side a point at Turf Moor. [LNB] Related ArticlesPremier League tablePremier League actionTelegraph player raterPremier League fixturesTransfer TalkSport on televisionBolton started the festive programme as the only team yet to record a cleansheet in the Premier League yet the absence of Burnley centre-backs Steven Cladwell and Clarke Carlisle to injury clearly lifted Gary Megson's struggling side. [LNB]The visitors had managed just two wins on their travels in the top-flight throughout the whole of 2009 yet Brian Jensen, the home keeper, was forced into a full stretch save to keep out Chris Basham's powerful 13th minute effort from 25 yards. [LNB]Kevin Davies has twice as many yellow cards than goals this season but he was allowed time and space to deliver a curling efort which narrowly missed the target before Taylor's excellent set-piece gave Bolton the lead. [LNB]Having already rejected strong Burnley appeals for a penalty following Gary Cahill's challenge on Nugent, referee Chris Foy awarded the visitors a 29th minute free kick after Andre Bikey's had hauled down Davies 25 yards from goal. [LNB]Jensen has denied Manchester United's Michael Carrick from the penalty spot this season but he could not keep out Taylor from 25-yards, the former Portsmouth player bending the ball into the top corner. [LNB]It made Steven Fletcher's horrendous miss six minute earlier even harder for the home fans to stomach, the Burnley forward screwing a glorious opportunity wide from seven yards after poor defending by Zat Knight allowed Wade Elliott to deliver a pint-point cross. [LNB]Fletcher will want to forget this game in hurry, the Scot skying another chance from close range high and wide in the 54th minute. [LNB]Both teams hit the woodwork before Nugent equalised. Kevin McDonald thought he had equalised with a thunderous effort from 20-yards which cannoned off and seconds later Bolton were denied a 2-0 lead when an effort by Taylor hit a post. [LNB]But Burnley made it five games unbeaten at home when Nugent leapt high to meet a 56th minute cross by the excellent Elliott and power the ball beyond the reach of Jussi Jaaskelainen.[LNB]

Source: Telegraph