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Bolton Wanderers vs Derby County. Sky Bet Championship.

University of Bolton StadiumAttendance17,162.

Bolton Wanderers 0

  • J Spearing (sent off 86th minute)

Derby County 0

    Bolton 0-0 Derby: Jay Spearing sent off for Trotters

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    Highlights from Bolton's goalless draw with Derby at the Macron Stadium

    Title favourites Derby escaped with a point from a 0-0 draw at Bolton, who saw Jay Spearing sent off five minutes from time.

    The unlucky home side hit the woodwork three times in nine minutes late on through Gary Madine - twice - and Emile Heskey, before Spearing was shown a red card by referee Andrew Madley for diving.

    It was a frantic finale to what at times had been a disappointing Sky Bet Championship game, especially for new Derby manager Paul Clement.

    The former Real Madrid assistant boss lost Will Hughes and Ian Bryson to first-half injuries as big-spending Derby also struck the bar through Johnny Russell.

    Bolton, unfancied for promotion in the pre-season odds, started slowly but ended on top.

    Right-back Lawrie Wilson, one of four debutants in Bolton's starting line-up, marked the occasion with a 16th-minute caution for fouling Tom Ince. There were home jeers when Hughes escaped the same punishment for felling Zach Clough.

     Jay Spearing of Bolton Wanderers leaves the field after receiving a second yellow card
    Image: Jay Spearing of Bolton Wanderers leaves the field after receiving a second yellow card

    In between, Derby were forced into a switch as Bryson limped off to be replaced by Jeff Hendrick. And it was Hendrick who created the game's first major chance after 26 minutes.

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    New Rams skipper Chris Baird played the ball up the line and Hendrick turned and crossed into the area, only for Russell's side-footed shot to clip the crossbar.

    Goalkeeper Ben Amos then blocked a Russell shot with his legs, with Hughes already calling for medical assistance. The pain-stricken Hughes was stretchered off to be replaced by Ryan Shotton.

    Despite Derby's double blow, Clement's side were the more fluent going forward. When Bolton did get a sight of goal, former Charlton defender Wilson lashed a 30-yard strike into the 3,600 travelling fans.

    BOLTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 8:  Dean Moxey (L) of Bolton Wanderers and Jeff Hendrick of Derby County battle for the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match
    Image: Dean Moxey (left) of Bolton Wanderers and Jeff Hendrick of Derby County battle for the ball

    However, there was more injury worry for the visitors in the final minute of first-half stoppage time. This time, former Bolton loanee Stephen Warnock gingerly got to his feet after colliding with Madine.

    With only one substitute left for the second half, Derby were keen to make any breakthrough as quickly as possible. And Spearing picked up Bolton' second yellow card for felling Chris Martin.

    Spearing, though, sparked Wanderers into life with a rare shot on target, aided by a first telling contribution from last season's emerging star Clough.

    Derby, who scored seven times in last season's double over the Trotters, still carried a threat. And Martin should have done better after Tom Ince and Baird engineered a chance the striker lofted over the bar from six yards.

    Clement did not delay in making his last throw of the dice, bringing on close-season arrival Andreas Weimann for the tiring Russell. Almost immediately the former Aston Villa was presented with his first opportunity only to miscue horribly from Ince's assist.

    Lam Feeney (L) of Bolton Wanderers is tackled by Jason Shackell of Derby County
    Image: Lam Feeney of Bolton Wanderers is tackled by Jason Shackell

    Opposite number Neil Lennon made his opening change 18 minutes from time, taking off Clough and replacing the 20-year-old with 37-year-old Heskey.

    The one-time England forward almost made a dream impact, hitting the post with his second touch from Neil Danns' cross, with Wilson following up into the side-netting.

    Derby's second let-off came after 78 minutes. Wilson crossed deep from the right, Madine climbed highest and headed against the bar. The former Sheffield Wednesday striker headed another cross against the woodwork before Spearing's early departure.

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    Bolton manager Neil Lennon:

    "A lot of people thought we were cannon fodder but some of the players put in exceptional performances. And we were unlucky not to have won the game."

    Derby manager Paul Clement:

    "Maybe they will be more disappointed because they hit the woodwork three times in the second half. But overall our players showed a lot of character when there was an aerial onslaught. We were resilient during that period and rode our luck. We didn't play as well as I would have liked but I was pleased with our character."

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