Match commentary: Boro 0 Bolton 1

Last updated: 19th April 2008

the riverside middlesbrough

Full-time The whistle goes here and Bolton claim a crucial win. Thanks for joining us and stay tuned for all the post-match reaction.

90 mins - Over Downing tries his luck from 35-yards but it is well over. Bolton are nearly there now.

90 mins - Waste Wheater plays in Alves but flag is up again - poor from Brazilian who didnt need to stary beyong last man. Campo getting treatment after going down on his shoulder.

88 mins - Route one Boro have pushed Wheater up-front now - that shows how desperate the home side are now.

87 mins - Poor Rochemback tries one from 35-yards but Al Habsi is able to control it with his feet before picking it up.

85 mins - Long ball Boro are now restoting to long ball from the back - really poor second half from the home side and Bolton look well placed for victory.

83 mins - Let there be light Floodlights have come here but that is the only spark Middlesbrough have produced in this second half.

81 mins - Poor showing Boro have the possession but they are showing little or no quality at the moment as Bolton are looking solid.

78 mins - Campo booked Silly challenge from Campo on Johnson and he is booked and the free-kick is on the right touchline and looks dangerous. Downing stands over it and swings it in the box. It eventually comes for Boateng who strikes it but straight at Al Habsi.

Nerves kicking in Well all the Bolton feedbacks are suggesting you are all sat their very worried. But to be honest at the moment Boro dont look capable of beating Al Habsi but it should be a frantic finale here. graeme.bailey@bskyb.com

76 mins - Aliadiere opening Ball drops over O'Brien and Aliadiere latches onto it but his shot is never beating Al Habsi.

75 mins - Wing work Boro pressure continues as Johnson tries his luck down the right and he crosses well but there is nobody there to convert for Boro. Boro are lacking ideas at the moment.

74 mins - Shuffle for Boro Taylor is brought off for Boro as Fabio Rochemback comes on - looks like Arca has dropped to left back.

73 mins - Bolton backing off Boro are pushing on now as Bolton sit back although the away side look more confident and comfortable.

What next? Jay in Melbourne is disgusted by Boro this half and wants to see them attack whilst Olly Capes also wants changes. Andew Moore from Bolton wants to know if Diouf has made the difference for Bolton. I would say not really although he is holding the ball up better.

71 mins - Chance Nolan brings down Alves about 30 yards from goal and the Brazilian fancies his chances here. He shoots but only in to the Bolton wall.

68 mins - Wheater tries his luck Boro's commanding centre-half pushes up and unleashes a shot fro 30-yards which Al Habsi is forced to save at full stretch. Not a bad effort.

67 mins - More appeals Boro are again looking for a penalty as Alves goes into the box and the ball looks to deflect off Guthrie's arm but again Wiley says no.

64 mins - Boro change Adam Johnson comes on and Tuncay is the man to come off which the Boro fans dont seem to happy about although something needed to be done.

What now? Well Bolton deserve to be in the lead after starting the second half in fine style - but can they hang on? What should Boro do now?graeme.bailey@bskyb.com

61 mins - GOAL! Bolton go ahead from corner as an unmarked Cahill heads down and McCann is there to poke it over the line.

60 mins - How are Bolton not winning? Guthrie breaks into the box and crosses but his shot almost loops in but Young is there to head clear. The ball comes for Taylor who hits the post before Boro put the ball behind.

57 mins - Yellow First booking of the game is for Steinsson as he dives in on Dowing. Boro free-kick but again nothing comes of it but at least Boro are getting forward now.

56 mins - Change Diouf has come on now as Rasiak has been forced off. Diouf is playing as the lone forward.

55 mins - No penalty Dowing fires a cross into the box and it hits McCann's hand - no penalty says Alan Wiley but it looked a stonewall spot-kick - huge let off for Bolton.

So far all Bolton Jay from Melbourne wants to know what is going on? Well Jay, Bolton look a different side so far and are well on top. Josh Kenny wants to know how Turnbull is doing. No complaints so far Josh he has done all that has needing doing including some nice saves.

53 mins - Another one down Yet another Bolton player has a head injury which is bleeding. This time Rasiak is in need of some patch up work. The Bolton physio has been on very busy so far today.

52 mins - Good stop Nice save from Turnbill as he blocks from Nolan's snap-shot - talk about a game of two halves so far, Boro just havent started yet.

Quiet at home Boro fans are very quiet as Bolton's away following are really getting behind their side.

50 mins - Bolton so close Matt Taylor tries his luck from 30 yards and Turnbull is there to tip it over. Then the corner comes in for Rasiak and he flicks the ball onto the bar! So unlucky for the Pole.

49 mins - McCann battle Good work from Gavin McCann. He wins corner and takes it quick to Campo - he fires at goal and Turnbull collects at near post - good stuff from Bolton now.

47 mins - Bright Bolton Good start from Bolton, much better stuff as they force Boro back. Taylor again tries his luck but Boro mamage to scramble it clear.

My view Stephen Pickup thinks Boro will win and he asks what I think. Well Steve I thought Boro would do it when I wrote preview and they started like a train but to be honest if Bolton want this win I think it is there to win - so draw!

Kick-off Both teams are back out as Boro gets us underway here. Cahill is patched up and starts the second-half.

Rasiak Ben Haydock wants to know how Rasiak is coping as he doesnt rate him. Well Ben good job your not watching him today as your opinion would not have improved. They are trying to use him like Davies but he is not as good as comes up short. Chris Tee is still not happy with the Bolton team selection - so what changes can be made second half? graeme.bailey@bskyb.com

Who will win? Well the majority of you can still see a home win here. Kelly Hartley and Marcus Phillips both see Boro wins, but Ben Shuttleworth, Greg Pinnell and David Bailey all think Bolton will snatch it!

Debate Lets get the half-time debate going - what do we think now for predictions? Many thought Boro win but Bolton have battled hard. Let me know your thoughts. graeme.bailey@bskyb.com

Half-time The whistle finally goes and well Bolton will be more than happy with that.

45 mins - Double blood bath Both Cohen and Cahill have cuts to their heads and will need treatment. In-fact Danny Guthrie is on for Cohen, who will not be risked but Cahill will be patched up.

45 mins - Boro corner Late chance for Boro, Aliadiere - back on - combines with Taylor before it goes behind. Corner comes in and Boateng shoots and claims for a handball are waved away. Cohen is down after clash with one of his own players.

45 mins - Danger Good effort from Taylor as he breaks on the right - he tried his luck from edge of box when he could have probably took it on.

Added time Four minutes have been added on here after a few injuries.

Turnbull debate Well Alan Weir cannot see Boro going with Turnbull next season, whilst he also thinks a 4-1 Boro win - which looks a long way off at this point. But Marcus Phillips from Brixham thinks the youngster should be given the chance to take-over from Schwarzer.

43 mins - Ooouch Aliadiere is welcomed to other side of the pitch by a crunching challenge from Steinsson - who is lucky not to be booked. The Frenchman looks in a lot of pain, but dont they always!

42 mins - Switch Boro mixing it up as Aliadiere and Downing swap wings - could be interesting move from Southgate.

40 mins - Long ball luck Bolton pump a long ball into Boro box and it cannons off Cahill and straight to Turnbull. Boro lucky it did not drop to a Bolton player although it was hardly Brazilian-esque football that opened up the home side.

39 mins - Trotters chance Bolton free-kick 30-yards out after Arca fouls Nolan. Campo swings it in but it is too long and Boro clear.

37 mins - Throw-in danger Bolton's only good moves seem to be coming from Samuel's long throws. This time Boro fail to clear and the ball dropped for Cohen whose shot is over but not a bad effort from the Israeli midfielder.

Schwarzer Peter McDonnell in Moscow wants to know what is wrong with the Boro number one. Well the official line is bad back. But with Turnbull a real option to replace Schwarzer could it be Gareth Southgate is taking a look at the youngster? Do you think Turnbull could replace Schwarzer next season or should Boro try and keep their experienced Aussie? graeme.bailey@bskyb.com

34 mins - Alves denied The Brazilian almost breaks clear he wins the ball off Cahill but O'Brien was there to intercept as the Boro striker moved towards the box.

33 mins - Downing delivers Downing gets down the line well and crosses into six-yard box - Cahill fails to clear, but neither Tuncay or Alves can connect - another let off for the Whites' defence.

32 mins - Close again A long ball into the box comes for Downing, he loops a cross into the box and Wheater - up from the back - is there to head just wide.

30 mins - Good save Talk about commentator's curse. Rasiak wins a header in the box and it drops for Matt Taylor who side foot's an effort at goal - which needs a smart stop from Turnbull! Close for Bolton.

Untested Turnbull Well we are 30 mins in and before the game Bolton would have wanted to test of the inexperienced Boro keeper but nothing the only thing he has had to deal with is pass backs from his own keeper.

26 mins - Cahill down Long Bolton free-kick is fired into the box and Cahill wins a great header against Pogatetz and he is down as Boro clear. Unlucky for Bolton as ball could have dropped to one of their forwards.

Streaker! We have a delay here whilst a scantily clad man is removed - not nice to look at.

24 mins - Arca effort More good work form Boro. the ball comes for Arca on the edge of the box and his shot is deflected wide. Downing's looks for Pogatetz from the corner but Bolton manage to scramble the ball clear.

Reaction so far Shane Huller thinks Boro need to turn this pressure into goals. Marc Harrison thinks Bolton's team selection will not let them hold the ball up and to be honest Marc you are spot on - things just are not sticking with Wheater and Pogatetz dominating.

19 mins - Better from Bolton Finally the visitors manage to string a few passes together in midfield and Andy O'Brien is unlucky not to pick out Kevin Nolan's run - a lot more positive from Bolton.

16 mins - Two down Arca goes in hard on Bolton full back Gretar Steinsson and both players are in need of treatment although the Argentine looks in real pain.

15 mins - Boro domination Boro continue to hog possession and Bolton are camped in their own half. The ball almost comes for Downing at the back post from George Boateng's cross but the England man cannot keep it in.

Diouf dispute A number of Bolton fans are not happy with the team selection, including Stuart Grundy who wonders why Cohen was picked ahead of Diouf! Richard Faulkner felt Bolton should have gone with three strikers today. graeme.bailey@bskyb.com

12 mins - Over and out Aliadiere breaks into the box and shoots, it is blocked and it comes for Tuncay - but he fires well over the bar.

11 mins - Bolton break From nothing Bolton break and Tamir Cohen is almost played in and Ross Turnbull is needed to come off his line and tackle outside the box.

9 mins - Al Habsi show Yet another stop from Al Habsi as he tips it over from Alves. More good work from Aliadiere.

Bolton doomed? Well Paul from Bolton and Jez from Manchester both seems to have lost hope for their side as neither can see Bolton winning today or staying up!

8 mins - Slip saves Bolton Wonderful work from Tuncay as he collects in the box and squares it to Downing but he slips as he is ready to strike the ball - let off for Bolton.

7 mins - Long ranger Bolton get into Boro half and Ivan Campo tries his luck from nearly 40 yards after taking the ball off Tuncay - but he gets it all wrong.

Response Not much feedback so far, come on you Bolton fans or are you all too nervous to mail in? graeme.bailey@bskyb.com

4 mins - Another stop Al Habsi is again there to tip over, this time from Tuncay Sanli after great work fown the right from Aliadiere. From the corner the ball is worked out to Andrew Taylor who flashes the shot just over the bar - this is Boro against Al Habsi at the moment.

2 mins - Great save Ali Al Habsi tips over brilliantly to deny David Wheater at the near post. Corner again comes in and Julio Arca picks it up and his shot is just over the bar - great start from Boro here.

1 min - Early pressure Boro win early free-kick which is whipped into the box by Stewart Downing and Jlloyd Samuel scrambles it behind.

Kick-off Bolton gets us underway here on a bitterly cold day on the banks of the River Tees.

Predictions So you have the teams, what do you think - I did the preview for this game yesterday and suggested a high-scoring 3-2 home win with Afonso Alves the one-to-watch - a good prediction or not? Let me know. graeme.bailey@bskyb.com

Team news Both teams have now been confirmed and a shock in the Boro line-up sees Ross Turnbull start in goal - no sign of either of Boro's Aussie international keepers in Mark Schwarzer and Brad Jones as youngster Luke Steele is on the bench. Boro also look set to go with Jeremie Aliadiere on the right wing in place of the injured Gary O'Neil. For Bolton Gregorz Rasiak is given the task of filling Kevin Davies's boots up-front. Also El Hadji Diouf finds himself on the bench - let me know your thoughts, happy with the teams? graeme.bailey@bskyb.com

Bolton Al Habsi, Steinsson, Andrew O'Brien, Cahill, Samuel, Nolan, Cohen, Campo, McCann, Taylor, Rasiak. Subs: Walker, Giannakopoulos, Guthrie, Diouf, Fojut.

Boro Turnbull, Young, Wheater, Pogatetz, Taylor, Aliadiere, Boateng, Arca, Downing, Alves, Sanli. Subs: Steele, Rochemback, Shawky, Johnson, Grounds.

Welcome to skysports.com's live coverage of Bolton's crucial trip to Middlesbrough. Stay with us throughout the afternoon as we bring you live commentary, reaction plus all your views from The Riverside Stadium - remember we want to here your views, opinions, predictions - whatever is on your mind so please get in touch by mailing me. graeme.bailey@bskyb.com