Struggling Bolton were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw after Manchester City refused to bow to pressure at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday. The Trotters, battling to escape the relegation zone, produced a typically aggressive and energetic display as they searched for a crucial Premier League win.
The hosts produced a number of chances with Gretar Steinsson hitting the post and Kevin Davies having a late header cleared off the line but City held firm throughout.
Gary Megson's side made their intentions clear from the start with El- Hadji Diouf firing a shot from the edge of the area straight at Joe Hart in the first minute.
Diouf started brightly and sent in crosses that Nedum Onuhoa and Vedran Corluka, the second from just in front of the lurking Davies, had to clear.
Senegal international Diouf hit his target when he delivered a corner to the near post after seven minutes but Gretar Steinsson's header rebounded off the post.
Ivan Campo also tried his luck from distance but shot well over as Bolton maintained their positive early impression.
City's first chance came from a 17th-minute corner when Ricardo Gardner headed away Stephen Ireland's powerful long-range shot.
Yet Bolton, recognising the seriousness of their situation, continued to force the pace and captain Kevin Nolan typified their urgency.
Nolan, returning after missing the midweek defeat at Manchester United with a back injury, held off Gelson Fernandes to force his way into the box and shoot but Michael Johnson blocked.
Nolan was then booked after 33 minutes for catching Corluka on the shin with a late challenge after the City man had cleared.
It was the kind of rash diving tackle that has attracted much criticism at the top level this season and Corluka required treatment before continuing.
Bolton continued to force the pace and Diouf again shot at Hart from distance in a replica of an earlier attempt at goal.
The hosts suffered a blow in the last minute of the first half when Gardner was carried off on a stretcher after landing awkwardly under a challenge from Darius Vassell.
He was replaced at the start of the second period, just as it began to snow, by Joey O' Brien.
Bolton seemed even tougher in their approach as the game resumed with none of their players shying away from challenges, particularly Nolan and Davies.
One mistimed tackle allowed City to break as referee Andre Marriner played advantage after Danny Guthrie caught Benjani Mwaruwari.
Petrov raced clear down the left but a sliding Ireland was unable to meet his low cross into the box.
Benjani also broke into the area and substitute Elano shot after O'Brien inadvertently passed to him in an effort to clear but Ali Al Habsi saved.
Campo looked far from happy when Megson decided to replace him in the 63rd minute, the Spaniard leaving the field slowly and then trudging off down the tunnel.
Diouf showed his strength to set up the next Bolton attack with Davies charging forward into the City half. He looked up to play in Matt Taylor but Elano got back to intercept.
Bolton then won a corner after Steinsson's shot was deflected and City were grateful Javier Garrido was standing in the way as Davies got a header in on target.
Diouf then went through on goal from a Davies flick-on but Hart flung himself at the ball and saved with his legs as the former Liverpool striker tried to lift it over him.
Taylor also shot wide as Bolton again failed to make the most of openings in the City defence.
City had a chance late on as Felipe Caceido had a shot blocked on the line but Marriner blew for an infringement in the box.
Benjani might also have snatched the game for City with just two minutes remaining but headed over from Corluka's cross.
Davies almost had the final say in injury time as he met a Stelios Giannakopolus corner but Petrov, placed at the far post, cleared his header off the line.
