Wrexham and Bolton Wanderers played out a hard-fought 0-0 draw at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Sunday as both teams stayed unbeaten in League One.

Wrexham, who were looking to build on the momentum of their opening-day win over Wycombe Wanderers, struggled to maintain possession in the first half as the hosts dominated possession without creating significant chances.

Phil Parkinson's team grew into the contest in the second half, though Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo was forced into the biggest save of the match when Dion Charles long-range effort deflected towards the top-right corner, only for the former Arsenal man to push it away.

Chances began to fall to the Welsh side, with Elliot Lee fizzing a right-footed effort over the bar before a blocked free-kick fell to James McClean. The former West Bromwich Albion and Stoke man was unable to control his attempt however, launching a volley into the stands.

In the end neither team was able to make the breakthrough, marking a rare stalemate for both teams. Bolton only played out one 0-0 draw in as they finished third in the division in 2023-24, while Wrexham managed just two in League Two.

The result leaves Wrexham eighth and Bolton ninth after two games of the league season.

A Tactical Battle

PHIL PARKINSON'S return to Bolton Wanderers ended with a point as Wrexham maintained their unbeaten start to the League One campaign by drawing 0-0 at The Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Parkinson guided Wanderers to promotion from League One in 2016-17 and followed it up by keeping the Trotters in the Championship the following season despite off the field issues, so the 56-year-old is well thought of at the Lancashire club.

But the focus in on Wrexham now and Parkinson saw his side dig in to secure a share of the spoils and build on the 3-2 home win against Wycombe Wanderers on the opening day.

Bolton dominated for large parts of the first half and had chances to take the lead but it remained level at the break.

Wrexham created very little but they had some opportunities after the break, and so did Bolton, but both teams had to settle for a point.

Having clinched a second promotion in a row and climbed from the National League to the third tier, four points from a possible six is highly respectable total and Wrexham passed a tough test in their first league away game at Bolton who were beaten in the play-off final last season.

A Tense Encounter

After making 10 changes for the 4-2 Carabao Cup first round defeat at Sheffield United in midweek, Parkinson selected practically the team that started the victory at home to Wycombe Wanderers.

There was one change from that starting line-up with Sebatian Revan taking over from Ryan Barnett in the right wing-back position, with the summer signing making his first league start for the Reds.

Bolton put Wrexham under early pressure and the first chance came in the fourth minute when Aaron Collins' curling effort was turned around the post by Arthur Okonkwo.

The Reds responded with Revan winning a corner after going on a mazy run into the area, but it was Bolton who were creating opportunities.

Dion Charles only just fired over from Collins' lay-off while Okonkwo did well to tip Josh Sheehan's drive over the crossbar.

Although Bolton had been on top, James McClean won a corner which was taken by Elliot Lee and nodded down to Tom O'Connor whose shot was blocked by Ricardo Almeida Santos.

Wrexham had created very little but they had an opportunity at the start of the second half when Jack Marriott brought a superb save out of Nathan Baxter.

But Bolton were straight back on the attack and Charles brought a comfortable save out of Okonkwo when he should have done better.

Despite getting into some good positions, Bolton were being wasteful as a couple of crosses were overhit and came to nothing but the home side almost went ahead when Charles turned in the area and brought a fantastic save from Okonkwo who was at full stretch.

Wrexham weren't making much headway when they got into the Bolton half, although Lee's 25 yard drive was just too high.

McClean also volleyed over the bar after Lee's free-kick dropped to the Reds' captain while at the other end, Eoin Toal met Szabolcs Schön's corner at the far post but his header was cleared by Wrexham.

Revan cut inside from the right but couldn't keep his shot down while substitute Steven Fletcher's low shot was parried by Baxter.

A Point A Piece

Wanderers extended their unbeaten start to the season but had to settle for a point from a goalless draw with League One new boys Wrexham, writes Pete Oliver.

The Whites’ biggest home crowd since their Premier League days more than a decade ago weren’t treated to a goal.

But they did see Wanderers have the better of a lively contest against a Wrexham outfit tipped to challenge for a third successive promotion under their high-profile US-based owners.

Robins’ goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo collected Sky Sports’ man-of-the-match after making a couple of big saves and Wanderers were also denied what looked like an injury-time penalty when captain Ricardo Almeida Santos had his shirt lifted up his back.

With nothing given there was to be no end to the stalemate but with a first clean sheet and another point on the board Wanderers took a step forward without showing the sharpness in front of goal they will hope comes as their campaign moves into top gear.

Following a warm minute’s applause in memory of club greats Tommy Banks and Roy Greaves and with the backing of a fantastic crowd behind them, Wanderers started on the front foot.

All the early threat came from Evatt’s men as they swarmed over the visitors, epitomised by the energy of George Johnston on an outstanding first league start since April 2023 as he and John McAtee were drafted in as the two changes from the starting line-up from the Whites’ opening day win at Leyton Orient.

Aaron Collins forced Okonkwo into a decent save to keep a curling effort out of the bottom corner and the Wrexham keeper then had to be alert to touch a free-kick from Josh Sheehan over the top in a frantic passage of play that saw Wanderers just fail to get the decisive touch from a corner-enduced goalmouth scramble.

Collins also picked out Dion Charles for an effort he clipped onto the roof of the Wrexham net as Wanderers probed for an opening.

But the Welshmen – on their first ever visit to the Toughsheet Community Stadium following back-to-back promotions to get them back to League One level for the first time in over 20 years – managed to survive the early test.

And although their threat was almost solely down to set-plays, Ricardo Almeida Santos had to make one sharp block to charge down an effort from Tom O’Connor following a corner as the side managed by ex-Bolton boss Phil Parkinson eased their way into the contest.

If neither side had created a really clear chance before the break, that changed within minutes of the re-start.

The lively Jack Marriott tested Nathan Baxter, who was equal to the Wrexham’s striker’s effort with an excellent save before the Whites broke at the other end with McAtee feeding Charles for an effort which again called Okonkwo into action.

That wasn’t a difficult save but the former Arsenal youngster was stretched to keep Wanderers out from their best move of the game with almost an hour gone as the Whites regained the initiative and almost took the lead.

McAtee and Sheehan were involved in the build-up before Thomason slipped the ball into Charles. His turn and shot were top-drawer but at full length Okonkwo stuck out a hand to keep the striker’s effort out of the top corner.

At the other end Elliot Lee fired just over the top from long range as the game really opened up going into the final quarter and again Wanderers went close to breaking the deadlock as Eoin Toal almost squeezed in a far-post header from a corner from summer signing Szabolcs Schön – who again caught the eye.

Both sides then made changes and Wrexham substitute Steven Fletcher forced another save from Baxter with a strike from 20 yards.

But it was Wanderers who ended the game on the front foot as they looked for a late winner and from a stoppage-time corner they might have had the chance to earn one had referee Benjamin Speedie seen the challenge on Santos in a different way.

Team Lineups

Wanderers: Baxter; Toal, Almeida Santos, Johnston; Dacres-Cogley (Osei-Tutu 76), Sheehan (Matete 82), Thomason, Schön; McAtee (Arfield 76), Charles (Adeboyejo 72), Collins (Dempsey 72). Substitutes: Morley, Forino.

Booked: Almeida Santos, Schön

Wrexham: Okonkwo; Cleworth, O’Connell, O’Connor; Dobson; Revan, Cannon, Lee (Evans 91), McClean; Marriott (Rathbone 79), Palmer (Fletcher 72). Substitutes: Burton, Dalby, Scarr, Barnett.

Booked: O’Connor

Referee: Benjamin Speedie

Attendance: 25,957 (3,668)

Formed in 1888 by Bolton Wanderers and 11 other founding members, the English Football League is the world's original league football competition.

© 2024 Bolton Wanderers FC

Designed & built by Other Media