Wigan and Bolton in scoreless bore

CHARLES N’ZOGBIA hit the post as neighbouring relegation rivals Wigan and Bolton fought out a drab goalless draw last night.

Wigan forward N’Zogbia went the closest of either side to settling a scrappy Premier League encounter after a smart run early in the first half.

The point was enough to lift both struggling sides up places in the table – Wigan to 14th and Bolton 18th – but both may rue missed opportunities to break the deadlock.

With in-form James McCarthy also proving his fitness to feature, Wigan hoped to take the game to their rivals but Bolton proved predictably dogged opponents.

Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander offered a threat for Bolton up front but both were frustrated in their efforts.

The rearranged match, postponed in December due to wintry weather, was never destined to be a classic on another freezing cold night that saw snow greet kick-off.

The combination of both sides’ desperation for points and the battered pitch suggested a scrappy encounter from the start.

N’Zogbia almost opened the scoring with the first moment of real quality in the match. The England-qualified Frenchman brilliantly cut inside two defenders after 20 minutes but his curling effort clipped the post.

McCarthy turned neatly to create a chance for Wigan but Jaaskelainen was not troubled by his shot.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez introduce more firepower after 51 minutes by replacing defender Bramble with striker Jason Scotland.

Rodallega headed wide from an N’Zogbia cross but the game generally remained scrappy as both sides struggled to make the breakthrough.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle attempted to break the stalemate by introducing on-loan Manchester City midfielder Vladimir Weiss and the move almost paid off instantly.

Davies and Elmander both headed on a long ball and Weiss came rushing in to shoot narrowly wide.

Elmander then played Matt Taylor in on goal moments later but he also failed to hit the target.

Martinez threw new signing Victor Moses into action with 11 minutes remaining but it was Rodallega who next threatened from an overhead kick that flew over. Chris Kirkland then blocked a Davies effort and Taylor again shot wide when well placed.

N’Zogbia burst forward as Wigan tried to finish with a flourish but Rodallega shot into the side-netting with two minutes remaining.

WIGAN: Kirkland, Melchiot, Caldwell, Bramble (Scotland 51), Figueroa, Scharner, McCarthy, Diame, N’Zogbia, Moreno (Moses 80), Rodallega.

BOLTON: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Ricketts, Knight, Robinson, Lee (Weiss 70), Muamba, Gardner (Cohen 84), Taylor (Wilshere 87), Elmander, Kevin Davies.

Referee: Howard Webb.