Match ends, Preston North End 0, Bolton Wanderers 0.
PrestonPreston North End0BoltonBolton Wanderers0
Preston played out a goalless draw against Championship strugglers Bolton in a game low on clear-cut chances.
Wanderers striker Shola Ameobi had the best chance of the first half but his effort from Jay Spearing's free kick went over the crossbar.
Joe Garner and Daniel Johnson tested visiting keeper Ben Amos from distance after the break.
Lilywhites keeper Jordan Pickford kept out Gary Madine's low shot as Bolton's winless run stretched to eight matches.
A derby meeting between the two lowest-scoring sides in the second tier this season proved to be a largely uninspiring affair.
Ameobi's opportunity summed up the first period as he struggled to make a clean connection with Spearing's delivery as the ball came off his shoulder and went over.
North End midfielder Johnson had two efforts blocked by David Wheater in quick succession, while Preston defender Calum Woods was lucky to receive just a yellow card for a trip on Max Clayton, who looked to be through on goal after gathering Spearing's long cross-field ball.
Substitute Jordan Hugill failed to make the most of an opportunity with 15 minutes remaining, preferring to shoot from outside the box when he could have played in Johnson.
Madine's well-struck effort through a crowd of bodies forced a good save from Pickford, low to his right, but the home side could not capitalise on late pressure.
Neil Lennon's Bolton side have won just once this season and remain in the relegation zone, although a point lifts them above Rotherham and Charlton.
Preston kept a seventh clean sheet of the campaign but the Lilywhites have picked up one win in their last 12 games and are now three points above the bottom three.
Line-ups
Preston
Formation 5-3-2
- 1Pickford
- 2VermijlSubstituted forHuntingtonat 81'minutes
- 15WoodsBooked at 25mins
- 6Wright
- 3Cunningham
- 32Reach
- 16BrowneSubstituted forKilkennyat 81'minutes
- 12Gallagher
- 11Johnson
- 14Garner
- 13DoyleSubstituted forHugillat 62'minutes
Substitutes
- 8Kilkenny
- 9Keane
- 19Welsh
- 23Huntington
- 24May
- 25Hugill
- 43Kirkland
Bolton
Formation 4-1-2-1-2
- 1Amos
- 15DerikSubstituted forPisanoat 83'minutes
- 4Dervite
- 31Wheater
- 20Casado
- 8SpearingSubstituted forDannsat 80'minutes
- 6Vela
- 21PratleyBooked at 31mins
- 12Clayton
- 26AmeobiSubstituted forMadineat 74'minutes
- 7Feeney
Substitutes
- 13Rachubka
- 14Madine
- 18Danns
- 19Heskey
- 24Pisano
- 27Twardzik
- 30Woolery
- Referee:
- Dean Whitestone
- Attendance:
- 14,494
Match Stats
Home TeamPrestonAway TeamBolton
- Possession
- Home51%
- Away49%
- Shots
- Home12
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away2
- Corners
- Home9
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Preston North End 0, Bolton Wanderers 0.
Post update
Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Casado.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Daniel Johnson (Preston North End) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Paul Gallagher.
Post update
Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Darren Pratley.
Post update
Attempt saved. Gary Madine (Bolton Wanderers) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Max Clayton.
Post update
Corner, Bolton Wanderers. Conceded by Calum Woods.
Substitution
Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. Francesco Pisano replaces Derik.
Post update
Neil Danns (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Paul Gallagher (Preston North End).
Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Paul Huntington replaces Marnick Vermijl.
Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Neil Kilkenny replaces Alan Browne.
Substitution
Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. Neil Danns replaces Jay Spearing.
Post update
Darren Pratley (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Greg Cunningham (Preston North End).
Post update
Attempt saved. Jordan Hugill (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Joe Garner with a headed pass.
Post update
Corner, Preston North End. Conceded by Derik.
Post update
Attempt saved. Daniel Johnson (Preston North End) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Marnick Vermijl.
Substitution
Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. Gary Madine replaces Shola Ameobi.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
