Bolton's youngest line-up in the club's history held Coventry to a 0-0 Sky Bet League One draw at the University of Bolton Stadium.
Manager Phil Parkinson named five full debutants in his starting line-up with an average age just over 19, with goalkeeper Matthew Alexander aged 17, while 20-year-old Harry Brockbank was named as captain.
Coventry thought they had taken a 28th-minute lead through Wesley Jobello.
But after lengthy deliberation with his linesman referee James Adcock disallowed the first of three goals for offside.
Callum King-Harmes went closest for the home side with a low shot which was tipped away by Marko Marosi.
When Amadou Bakayoko had another goal disallowed - again for offside after 53 minutes - Coventry might have suspected this was not going to be their afternoon.
Referee Adcock then rejected two strong appeals for penalties. Each decision was cheered by home fans in a crowd of 8,901 - the lowest league attendance since the stadium opened in 1997.
Coventry continued to carve out the best chances and substitute Maxime Biamou had a third goal disallowed for offside in stoppage time.
But Wanderers held on for a remarkable point that lifts them off the bottom of the table at the expense of neighbours Bury.