English Premiership
Bolton relegation woes mount
2012-04-21 18:36
Bolton - Bolton Wanderers slipped to second-bottom in the Premier League after being held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Swansea City on Saturday.
Scott Sinclair gave Swansea an early lead at the Reebok Stadium but his fine strike was quickly cancelled out by Chris Eagles.
The result leaves Bolton in 19th place, but they are only a point from safety and have two games in hand on the sides immediately above them - Blackburn Rovers, QPR and Wigan Athletic.
Swansea, meanwhile, climbed one place to 11th in the table and with a 13-point lead over Bolton - the only team in the bottom three who can catch them - they can begin to plan for another season in the English elite.
The Welsh side broke the deadlock from their very first attack in the sixth minute, with Sinclair cutting in from the left flank and bending an excellent strike into Adam Bogdan's top-left corner with his right foot.
The hosts' response was swift, however, as Martin Petrov delivered an enticing cross from which Eagles swept a crisp half-volley past Michel Vorm to equalise in the 14th minute.
Gretar Steinsson had been easily beaten by Sinclair in the build-up to Swansea's opener but the Icelandic full-back made partial amends when he produced a timely block to prevent countryman Gylfi Sigurdsson from restoring the visitors' lead.
The action went from end to end in an open first half, with Vorm forced into a sharp save to repel a low free-kick from Petrov on the half hour.
Swansea centre-back Steven Caulker then spurned a good opportunity to put Swansea ahead when he lifted the ball over the bar after Bogdan had parried a free-kick from Sigurdsson.
Brendan Rodgers' side began the second period strongly and Bogdan was called into action once again to save a low effort from Swansea striker Danny Graham, who curled wide from a Sigurdsson pass shortly afterwards.
Bolton coach Owen Coyle reacted by introducing French striker David Ngog from the bench but the pressure continued to mount on Bogdan's goal.
The Bolton goalkeeper saved from Graham at the near post and saw Sinclair's follow-up effort blocked, before Graham rattled the crossbar with a curling effort.
Having narrowly avoided falling behind for a second time, Bolton threatened to take all three points in the last 10 minutes.
David Wheater had a shot deflected wide after a strong run from centre-back, while Eagles bent a shot fractionally wide from the edge of the penalty area after being teed up by Ivan Klasnic.