Bolton dominate North West stalemate

The Trotters, battling to escape relegation, produced a typically aggressive and energetic display as they searched for a crucial win.

The hosts produced a number of chances with Gretar Steinsson hitting the post and Kevin Davies having a late header cleared off the line.

El-Hadji Diouf started brightly and sent in crosses that Nedum Onuoha and Vedran Corluka, the second from just in front of the lurking Davies, had to clear.

Diouf hit his target when he delivered a corner to the near post after seven minutes but Steinsson's header rebounded off the post.

City's first chance came from a 17th-minute corner when Ricardo Gardner headed away Stephen Ireland's powerful long-range shot.

The hosts suffered a blow in the last minute of the first half when Gardner was carried off on a stretcher after landing awkwardly under a challenge from Darius Vassell.

One mistimed tackle allowed City to break as referee Andre Marriner played advantage after Danny Guthrie caught Benjani Mwaruwari. Martin Petrov raced clear down the left but a sliding Ireland was unable to meet his low cross into the box.

Benjani also broke into the area and substitute Elano shot after Joey O'Brien inadvertently passed to him in an effort to clear but Ali Al Habsi saved.

Diouf then went through on goal from a Davies flick-on but Hart flung himself at the ball and saved with his legs.