Derby settle for stalemateTitle favourites Derby escaped with a point from a 0-0 draw at Bolton whose former captain Jay Spearing was sent off five minutes from time.The unlucky home side hit the woodwork three times in nine minutes late on through Gary Madine - twice - and Emile Heskey, before Spearing was shown a red card by referee Andrew Madley for diving.It was a frantic finale to what at times had been a disappointing Sky Bet Championship game, especially for new Derby manager Paul Clement.The former Real Madrid assistant boss lost Will Hughes and Ian Bryson to first-half injuries as big-spending Derby also struck the bar through Johnny Russell.Bolton, unfancied for promotion in the pre-season odds, started slowly but ended on top.Right-back Lawrie Wilson, one of four debutants in Bolton's starting line-up, marked the occasion with a 16th-minute caution for fouling Tom InceThere were home jeers when Hughes escaped the same punishment for felling Zach Clough.In between, Derby were forced into a switch as Bryson limped off to be replaced by Jeff Hendrick
And it was Hendrick who created the game's first major chance after 26 minutes.New Rams skipper Chris Baird played the ball up the line and Hendrick turned and crossed into the area, only for Russell's side-footed shot to clip the crossbar.Goalkeeper Ben Amos then blocked a Russell shot with his legs, with Hughes already calling for medical assistance
The pain-stricken Hughes was stretchered off to be replaced by Ryan Shotton.Despite Derby's double blow, Clement's side were the more fluent going forward
When Bolton did get a sight of goal, former Charlton defender Wilson lashed a 30-yard strike into the 3,600 travelling fans.However, there was more injury worry for the visitors in the final minute of first-half stoppage time
This time, former Bolton loanee Stephen Warnock gingerly got to his feet after colliding with Madine.With only one substitute left for the second half, Derby were keen to make any breakthrough as quickly as possible
And Spearing picked up Bolton' second yellow card for felling Chris Martin.Spearing, though, sparked Wanderers into life with a rare shot on target, aided by a first telling contribution from last season's emerging star Clough.Derby, who scored seven times in last season's double over the Trotters, still carried a threat
And Martin should have done better after Tom Ince and Baird engineered a chance the striker lofted over the bar from six yards.Clement did not delay in making his last throw of the dice, bringing on close-season arrival Andreas Weimann for the tiring Russell
Almost immediately the former Aston Villa was presented with his first opportunity only to miscue horribly from Ince's assist.Opposite number Neil Lennon made his opening change 18 minutes from time, taking off Clough and replacing the 20-year-old with 37-year-old Heskey.The one-time England forward almost made a dream impact, hitting the post with his second touch from Neil Danns' cross, with Wilson following up into the side-netting.Derby's second let-off came after 78 minutes
Wilson crossed deep from the right, Madine climbed highest and headed against the bar
The former Sheffield Wednesday striker headed another cross against the woodwork before Spearing's early departure
Source : PA
Source: PA