Wigan and Bolton play out goalless draw

May 2, 2009 - 6:15 PM By GEOFF McALLISTER STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Wigan kept alive their hopes of qualifying for European competition next season with a goalless draw at home to Bolton on Saturday.

The point gleaned by Gary Megson's Bolton is also likely to be enough to ensure Premier League football again at the Reebok.

It was the first time in 29 meetings that the clash between the two sides had resulted in no goals being scored, but it was not for want of trying.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce said: "We are trying as hard as we can to finish in the top ten and with three games to go it is still definitely on.

"Whatever happens it is a wonderful achievement with so little of the season left to be near the top ten and a place in the Europa League.

"Who would have thought it of a little club like us? They keep telling me here that it was not so long ago that this club was playing non-league football and now we are talking about Europe.

"I thought we might have edged it here against Bolton. We kept a clean sheet which always pleases me as an ex-defender and had enough chances to have won.

"But we had a poor start to the season and if you had told me at Christmas we would be in this position, I would have been more than happy."

Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen made two great early saves and at the other end Bolton should have put away some clear openings.

But it was Bolton who came nearest to breaking the deadlock when Gary Cahill's 18-yard volley crashed against the Wigan bar.

The portents were not good. Bolton had not won in ten away matches and Wigan had managed only 15 home goals all season.

But both sides threw men forward in a desperate bid to make a mockery of the tame statistics.

Bruce preferred Mario Melchiot to Emerson Boyce but former Chelsea defender Melchiot lasted only until half time when injury got the better of him.

Seven minutes after the break Wigan suffered another blow when Paul Scharner needed to be replaced.

Egyptian striker Mido and Hugo Rodallega missed chances for Wigan as both sides went in search of a winner but a draw suited the prospects of Bruce and Megson.

Bolton boss Megson is not worried that it is now eleven matches since his team won away.

"Last season we only won two in 19 and this year we have won four, so it's an improvement and we deserved something here.

"Having said that, I was disappointed with our overall performance. We were the better side after the break and I felt we would go on and win.

"But we lacked some composure in and around the box and if we had shown some of that, I feel certain we could have got a more positive result."