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Bolton Wanderers XI continued their unbeaten run in pre-season by coming from behind to draw with Crewe Alexandra on Friday evening.
With a mixture of senior and youth players involved for Bolton XI, the game began with the hosts coming close to breaking the deadlock, only for Ben Amos in the Bolton goal to deny Chris Dagnall whilst one-on-one.
After an early scare, the Whites proceeded to hit back with a number of corners and pressure going forward, although Crewe were still testing Amos and the Bolton backline on occasion, with George Cooper almost finding Charlie Kirk with the Alex man in on goal.
The home side were struggling to get a foothold in the game, but they almost snatched the lead on the half hour mark as Dagnall was denied by a combination of last-ditch defending from Dorian Dervite and Amos.
Up the other end meanwhile, Cameron Howison came close for Wanderers with a powerful free-kick that was down the throat of Alex keeper Garratt while the shot-stopper was on form again soon after when he pushed away a superb effort from Kaiyne Woolery.
As the clock ran down to half time, Jones came close for the Railwaymen as he attempted to finish off a smart move between Dagnall and Lowe, but Amos was equal to his effort.
On the stroke of half time however, the deadlock was broken through the seemingly ever present Dagnall who collected Lowe’s ball before calmly slotting home past Amos.
As the second half got underway, Crewe continued to look dangerous while Lawrie Wilson and Lowe both received a word from the referee following a brief moment of madness.
Wanderers however were standing firm in defence, although Dagnall came close to doubling his tally for the evening after collecting Cooper’s ball.
With the second period 20 minutes old though, Bolton finally drew level in the clash as Woolery fired home from close range following a scramble in front of goal via a deflection off Harry Davis.
A goal which opened the game up inside its final quarter, Dagnall attempted to find Crewe substitute Alex Kiwomya with a cross-goal ball, only to see it narrowly elude the on-loan Chelsea youngster.
A flurry of late substitutes saw the flow of the game halted somewhat, while an injury to Liam Smith saw a stretcher used for the Newcastle United loanee.
That incident was to be prove to be the last action of the game however as the spoils were shared at the final whistle.
LINE-UP
Bolton: Amos (Eve 70’), Wilson, Spooner, Dervite (Brockbank 83’), Honeyball, Howison, Walker, Trotter, Woolery (Samizadeh 69’) Newell, Taylor (Lonsdale 66’)
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