Bolton Wanderers kept alive their hopes of an automatic promotion spot with a
hard-earned 1-0 victory against Barnsley at Oakwell.
It was Barnsley who started well, with the lively Martin Bullock involved in
most of the opening exchanges.
The home side forced the game's first corner on six minutes but Steve
Chettle's header was cleared from the danger area by Anthony Barness.
Anthony Kay then went close for Barnsley with a shot that looped just over the
crossbar.
With 20 minutes gone Bullock played the ball to Darren Barnard but his cross
to Shipperley was headed straight at Matt Clarke in the visitors' goal.
Bolton began to come into the game and Barness should have done much better
but his attempt to chip with Miller stranded went over the crossbar.
Bo Hansen cut in from the right side and his pinpoint cross was volleyed wide
by Michael Ricketts.
At the end of the first half Bruce Dyer was left one-on-one with Miller but
Dyer's effort lacked enough power to trouble Miller, who spread himself well.
Bolton took the lead on 55 minutes when Bo Hansen sent Ricketts into the clear
and the big forward coolly clipped the ball over the advancing Kevin Miller.
Bolton could have extended their lead when Ricketts again found himself in the
clear, but his powerful left-foot effort went over the bar.
Barnsley's task was made more difficult when Alex Neil was sent off on 65
minutes after tripping Ricketts when the forward had a clear run on goal. Kevin
Miller then saved with his feet from a Ricketts drive.
Bolton were beginning to create more chances and Ricketts turned provider but
Bo Hansen shot straight at Clarke from eight yards out.
Barnsley were finding it difficult to create clear-cut chances and were
restricted to long-range efforts with Sheron shooting wide from 25 yards.
The home side went close again when a well-worked free-kick between Barnard
and Sheron saw the former shoot inches wide with a low drive.
Teams
Barnsley: Miller, Regan, Morgan, Parkin, Barker,
Bullock (Barrowclough 63), Kay, Neil, Barnard, Shipperley,
Dyer (Sheron 63).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Bertos, Marriott.
Sent Off: Neil (66).
Booked: Neil, Kay.
Bolton: Clarke, Bergsson, Warhurst, Elliott, Charlton,
Summerbee (Holdsworth 52), Hansen (Richardson 82),
Frandsen (Gardner 61), Farrelly, Barness, Ricketts.
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Wright.
Booked: Clarke, Charlton.
Goals: Ricketts 56.
Att: 13,979
Ref: G Laws (Whitley Bay).
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