Bolton held by Bristol City as Shola Ameobi is frustratedBolton's Shola Ameobi missed a second-half penalty and had a late goal disallowed in a goalless draw with fellow Skybet Championship strugglers Bristol City at the Macron Stadium.The former Newcastle striker, who never missed a spot-kick for the Magpies, saw his 51st-minute effort saved by Frank Fielding as Wanderers' goal drought reached nearly five and a half hours.And despite the point, Neil Lennon's side remain the Football League's lowest scorers and four points from safety.City, at their best in the first 25 minutes, had legitimate claims for a penalty when Mark Davies clattered into Luke Freeman after three minutes but referee Stuart Attwell waved aside the appeals.Davies was one of three changes to the Bolton line-up following Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at IpswichAmeobi, back from injury, replaced Gary Madine while Stephen Dobbie took over from Max Clayton.The Robins, unchanged from their 1-0 midweek success over Wolves, almost went ahead in bizarre circumstances after 15 minutes
Prince Gouano's attempted clearance ricocheted off Kieran Agard and ballooned over keeper Ben Amos, with the ball coming down on the crossbar.In contrast, Wanderers laboured for any rhythm, befitting a side that had won only one of its last 20 league games dating back to last April.Marlon Pack's wayward shot from 20 yards summed up a dismal opening period; referee Attwell's half-time whistle signalling the expected chorus of boos.Wanderers made a change at the start of the second half, replacing the injured Dobbie with Gary Madine, but moments later they almost went behind following a customary defensive error.David Wheater was dispossessed by Jonathan Kodjia on the dead-ball line, with Agard fractions away from applying a finishing touch to the cross
The roles were reversed a minute later, with Kodjia narrowly failing to convert a cross from the opposite side.It was against the run of play, then, when Bolton received a perfect chance to go ahead
Nathan Baker clumsily challenged Madine to concede a needless penalty.Ameobi, who scored on his Trotters debut debut against Leeds, stepped up but Fielding saved the striker's low shot before Madine blasted a follow-up wide.Wanderers might have had a second spot-kick soon after, with Baker again the culprit
This time, however, Attwell gave the City defender benefit of the doubt after Darren Pratley went to ground.With 20 minutes left Ameobi almost atoned for his penalty failure with a superb run and pass for Liam Feeney, whose rising left-foot drive from 18 yards was tipped aside by Fielding.Twice Madine should have put headers on target as Wanderers pressed for the winner, while Kodjia had Ben Amos scrambling with a rare City attempt.Amoeba thought he had won it after 79 minutes but was flagged offside as he tapped in Pratley's right-wing cross
Source : PA
Source: PA