Desperate Bolton hit new low

NO points, no desire, no hope and now no first-choice goalkeeper for the rest of the season. Bolton’s season hit a new low yesterday as they slipped to a defeat to fellow strugglers Wigan despite having an extra man for more than 85 minutes.

The fourth-minute dismissal of Jason Koumas for a challenge on Gary Cahill should have swung a bruising derby in favour of Gary Megson’s side. Instead it brought the very best out of Wigan as they pulled six points clear of their neighbours.

Bolton, whose next four games are against Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa, were livid after being denied a late penalty following a clear hand-ball by Michael Brown.

But they did not deserve a point. Instead, Emile Heskey ended a 20-game run without a goal for club and country with a clever shot on the turn.

Bolton stepped up the tempo after the interval but could not force the equaliser.

“We've got to start battling, scrapping and put in a really good shift," said Megson, who revealed that keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, who did not feature, will miss the remainder of the campaign with a back injury.

WIGAN ATHLETIC (4-4-2): Kirkland 6, Melchiot 6, Boyce 6 (Vidic 60, 5), Scharner 6, Edman 6, Valencia 6, Palacios 6 (Taylor 90, 5), Brown 6, Koumas 4, King 6 (Kilbane 57, 5), Heskey 6.

Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Bramble, Sibierski.

BOLTON (4-5-1): Al Habsi 6, Steinsson 6, A O’Brien 6, Cahill 6 (McCann 68, 5), Gardner 6, Cohen 5 (Rasiak 42,) , Campo 6, Nolan 6, Taylor 6, Diouf 6 (J O’Brien HT,5) Davies 6.

Subs Not Used: Walker, Meite.

REFEREE: Steve Tanner (Somerset) 6: Showed a red card when he didn’t have to and failed to show a yellow card when he should have.

MATCH RATING: *** Not for the faint hearted. Wigan showed guts, courage and determination. Bolton showed very little.