Neighbours Bolton and Wigan shared their third draw of the season after a goalless FA Cup tie.
Bolton unable to earn win for Lofthouse
North West neighbours Bolton and Wigan shared their third draw of the season after a goalless FA Cup fourth round tie at the Reebok Stadium.
Bolton boss Owen Coyle hoped the memory of the Trotters' 1958 cup winning captain Nat Lofthouse, who was buried this week, would inspire his team to ease past a young Wigan side into the fifth round.
But they will have to beat their Premier League rivals at the DW Stadium in the replay if they are to progress.
Wigan, who have been struggling for Premier League form, posed a counter attacking threat throughout with pacy striker Victor Moses causing plenty of headaches for Bolton's defence.
The home side struggled to test veteran away goalkeeper Mike Pollitt and in the end neither team could complain with the draw.
Perfect
Former Middlesbrough defender David Wheater made his debut for Bolton, while Wigan boss Roberto Martinez made eight changes to the team defeated at Aston Villa.
Bolton almost made the perfect start when Kevin Davies flicked the ball on to Johan Elmander but his effort was diverted over the bar.
Wigan again found themselves on the back foot and Matt Taylor tried to pick out Martin Petrov at the back post but put too much weight on the pass.
The visitors responded and Victor Moses skipped round goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen only to send his shot into the side netting.
Play broke back down the other end and Mark Davies got himself in a good position only for Mohamed Diame to take the ball off his toes.
Moses, back in the side after a shoulder injury, was already causing Bolton problems with his pace.
He raced forward in the 11th minute to get on the end of a ball from Jordi Gomez but strayed marginally offside.
Then five minutes later Moses again found space but his effort was deflected to safety by Wheater.
This was a good spell by Wigan and Gomez tested the goalkeeper with a shot from distance as they came close to opening the scoring.
Entertaining
Callum McManaman tried to get on the end of Moses' 23rd minute cross but Paul Robinson was on hand to clear.
Both sides have been struggling to win games in recent weeks but it was an entertaining game for the fans.
Gomez tried his luck from 25 yards in the 28th minute but Jaaskelainen got down quickly to make the block and keep his side on level terms.
Four minutes later Bolton surged forward and Elmander released Petrov but the former Manchester City winger sent his effort wide of the post.
Bolton had some momentum now and Petrov rattled in a shot in the 35th minute but Ben Watson was perfectly positioned to make the block.
Two minutes before the break Watson took a free-kick that was well delivered but again Jaaskelainen came to Bolton's rescue by clearing with his legs.
It was a clear sign that Wigan, despite their poor league form, were very much in this cup tie and posing a threat to the home side.
Sweet
Bolton poured forward after the restart and Elmander picked out Fabrice Muamba but the ball was taken off his feet as he was about to shoot.
Wigan responded and Wheater was hauled back for a challenge on Diame. Watson hit a sweet strike from the resulting free-kick, which was saved by Jaaskelainen at his near post.
Moses was still causing havoc with his pace and movement and Sam Ricketts was booked on the hour for his challenge on the former Crystal Palace man.
Wigan were looking good on the counter-attack and McManaman rattled in a shot a minute later that was blocked by Kevin Davies.
Bolton manager Coyle decided to switch things around with his side having failed to test Pollitt.
He brought on Rodrigo Moreno and Robbie Blake in the 62nd minute for Matt Taylor and Petrov.
Blake was quickly into the action and saw his shot blocked before play switched back down the other end and Wheater was on hand to divert a shot from Moses to safety.
Squandered
Wigan came close to taking the lead when a shot from McManaman was superbly turned away by Jaaskelainen in the 75th minute after a slight deflection.
Bolton hit back and substitute Stuart Holden sent Rodrigo clear and he delivered a cross that was turned away at the back post with Blake on hand to take advantage of any mistake.
A minute later Wheater squandered a glorious chance to give Bolton the lead when he stabbed a shot wide of the post.
Jaaskelainen was then called upon to save Bolton again, turning away an inswinging free-kick from Gomez as the game finished level.
| Bolton Wanderers |
Team Statistics |
Wigan Athletic |
| 0 |
Goals |
0 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 2 |
Shots on Target |
8 |
| 5 |
Shots off Target |
2 |
| 8 |
Blocked Shots |
3 |
| 5 |
Corners |
9 |
| 12 |
Fouls |
9 |
| 2 |
Offsides |
2 |
| 3 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 49 |
Possession |
51 |
|
