Premier League: Bolton 1 Wigan 1

Wigan had substitute goalkeeper Mike Pollitt to thank after he came off the bench to keep Bolton at bay in their 1-1 draw at The Reebok.

Bolton had taken the lead through Rodrigo and it got worse for Wigan when goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was stretchered off after 62 minutes.

But the visitors rallied and equalised through Ronnie Stam’s first Premier League goal of the season 10 minutes from time.

And they somehow clung on despite a heavy barrage of Bolton pressure in the closing stages, with Pollitt producing vital saves to thwart Johan Elmander and Martin Petrov.

Bolton have been one of the surprise packages of the season and consistent displays saw them move inside the top six earlier this term.

While both sides have enjoyed contrasting seasons thus far, they looked very much equal in the early stages, although the driving rain in Lancashire was something of a leveller.

It was not until past the half-hour mark that Wigan fashioned a meaningful chance on goal as Hugo Rodallega saw his curling free-kick well saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Two minutes before the break, Bolton could have gone ahead but Zat Knight and Kevin Davies got in eachother’s way with the latter heading just wide.

Wigan were forced to weather a heavy storm of Bolton pressure straight after the restart. And two clear-cut chances for Gary Cahill were a sign of things to come, with the hosts snaring a deserved opener 10 minutes after half-time.

Mark Davies’ excellent through-ball carved Wigan open and Rodrigo made no mistake planting a left-foot finish past Kirkland.

Elmander, quiet throughout, should have doubled the advantage after77 minutes following a mix up in the Wigan defence. But the Sweden international could only fire straight at Pollitt.

Bolton were enjoying the majority of possession but, just as they began to extend their dominance, Wigan hit them with a telling counter-punch.

Steve Gohouri’s delightful cross found Stam at the back post who slid in to gleefully score the equaliser.