Preston 0-0 Bolton: Match Report

31 October 2015 20:31

Preston hold Lancashire rivals Bolton to a goalless draw

Preston North End earned their fourth consecutive clean sheet as they battled to a goalless draw at home to Lancashire rivals.

The derby game was the first meeting between the sides since the 2001 Division One Play-Off final, which led to the Trotters' 11-year stint in the top-flight.

The Lilywhites made one change from their trip to Brighton with last season's top-scorer Joe Garner coming in for Jordan Hugill, who dropped to the bench.

Neil Lennon made three changes from last weekend's draw with Leeds, as Josh Vela and Shola Ameobi replaced Neil Danns and Gary Madine, while Dorian Dervite came in for the suspended Prince-Desir Gouano.

Joe Garner created the hosts' first chance of the evening on the 11th minute, beating two defenders and laying the ball off to Marnick Vermijl on the edge of the area but he scuffed his shot wide.

Bolton's Ben Amos was the busier of the two keepers early on, making a couple of routine stops to deny the lively Garner.

And the visitors' best chance of the first half fell to the veteran Ameobi, making his first league start in over 17 months, but he headed Jay Spearing's free-kick narrowly over the bar after beating Jordan Pickford in the air.

And a minute later controversy arrived. Max Clayton was bundled over by Calum Woods as the winger raced towards goal but referee Dean Whitestone opted for the yellow card when he could easily have shown red.

Jose Manuel Casado stepped up for the resulting free-kick but he lashed it way over the crossbar.

In typical derby style tackles became fiery and the game drew scrappy. Darren Pratley was booked for a late sliding tackle on Bailey on the half-hour mark which caused scuffling in the penalty area.

Preston controlled the end of the first half but showed little threat to Bolton's goal as David Wheater and Dervite dominated the aerial duels.

After the break Amos continued his personal battle with Garner, but the keeper produced a comfortable save from a long-distance effort.

Full-back Casado almost undid all of the visitors' hard work when he lofted a clearance over his own defence and played substitute Hugill through on goal.

However, the forward failed to connect properly with the ball and Amos gratefully grasped the tame shot.

Neil Lennon introduced Madine from the bench and six minutes from time the forward drilled a low shot towards goal following Clayton's corner but Pickford was equal to it, palming the ball clear down to his right.

Both sides battled for the elusive winner but Bolton stood strong at the death to avoid being cast adrift by their relegation-threatened counterparts.


Source: PA