Shefki Kuqi put another dent in Bolton's promotion hopes as Stockport County
grabbed a draw at the Reebok Stadium.
The Finn's second-half header gave County a share of the spoils which they
well deserved.
The point was good enough to take Bolton back up to second spot in Division
One - but they have played three more games than Lancashire rivals Blackburn,
who play Sheffield United at Ewood Park tomorrow night.
Sam Allardyce's men have not won at home since January 13 - a run of six
successive league games - and, despite being given an 11th-minute lead by
defender Colin Hendry, they did not deserve to take all three points.
County had called Blackburn goalkeeper Alan Kelly up on loan just hours before
kick-off, but he was rarely troubled by a misfiring Bolton side.
Hendry had earlier given the hosts the perfect start with his fourth goal in
three games - having notched twice for Scotland against San Marino last week and
then again for Bolton on Saturday.
His header from a Nicky Summerbee corner was so powerful that Kelly could not
stop it crossing the line despite getting both hands to it.
But after the goal Bolton were restricted to trying to seal the points on the
break because they were pinned back in their own half by a hard-working
Stockport side who were a constant threat from set-pieces and long throws.
It was the home side who came closest to adding to their lead before the
break, though.
In the 36th minute an unmarked Hendry got on the end of another Summerbee
cross but he failed to find the target.
A minute earlier Robbie Elliott had weaved his way into the Stockport area,
but his powerful left-foot drive was deflected wide after it hit his own
team-mate Dean Holdsworth.
In the second half Bolton were again forced to defend deeply for long periods
and they were left to rue those earlier missed chances when Kuqi headed home
Shane Nicholson's cross in the 66th minute.
Teams:
Bolton: Clarke, Elliott, Charlton, Summerbee (Marshall 77), Richardson, Bergsson, Hendry, Holdsworth, Gardner, Warhurst (Farrelly 62), Campbell (Hansen 71).
Subs Not Used: Banks, Nolan.
Booked: Hansen.
Goals: Hendry 11.
Stockport: Kelly, Grayson, Nicholson, Fradin, Roget, Flynn, Gibb, Clare, Hurst (Carrigan 89), Kuqi, Wilbraham.
Subs Not Used: Clark, Woodthorpe, Wiss, Bergersen.
Booked: Flynn, Fradin.
Goals: Kuqi 67.
Att: 12,492
Ref: G Frankland (Middlesbrough).
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