Wanderers manager Sammy Lee restored the likes of Jussi Jaaskelainen, Andy O'Brien, Kevin Nolan, Gary Speed, El-Hadji Diouf and Nicolas Anelka to his starting line up for the game in the Midlands.

Indeed, it was Anelka who looked the most potent for Bolton in front of goal and the French international equalised for the Trotters on the half hour after Kenny Miller had earlier netted his second goal of the season for Derby.

The hosts had the first chance of the game on four minutes but Scottish midfielder Stephen Pearson made a mess of his shot and was fortunate to get a corner.

A few minutes later the game was spoiled slightly when former Manchester United youngster David Jones made a rash challenge on Bolton's Gary Speed and he was ultimately booked by referee Rob Styles.

Speed recovered from this set back to fire in a Wanderers free kick on the quarter hour mark but the Welshman couldnt get the ball over the Derby wall to test goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.

On 19 minutes Derby found themselves in the lead through striker Miller who netted from close range following some excellent approach play by Steven Howard.

Anelka could have equalised for Bolton two minutes later but the ball flashed wide leaving Bywater yet again untested in the Derby goal.

The lively El-Hadji Diouf was causing Billy Davies side many problems down the flanks and the Senegal star was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet with a shot which was gathered with ease by Bywater.

Bolton where back on level terms in the 32nd minute when Anelka netted his fifth goal of the campaign. The ex-Arsenal and Manchester City frontman combined well with Kevin Davies before unleashing a deflected shot past Bywater.

This goal lifted the away side and they ended the first half with a flourish with captain Kevin Nolan unlucky not to give Bolton the lead after rounding Bywater.

Shortly after half time it was Jaaskelainen who Bolton had to thank for saving with his feet from goalscorer Miller and then defender Abdoulaye Meite did well to block a shot from defender James McEveley.

Wanderers decided to freshen things up and midfielders Christian Wilhelmsson and Gavin McCann where brought on in place of Kevin Davies and Gary Speed.

With just over twenty minutes to go substitute Wilhelmsson was unable to curl the ball past Bywater after McCann had delivered a pinpoint throw in to the feet of the Swede.

Joey O'Brien's bad luck with injuries continued and the Irish international was withdrawn on 70 minutes just two games into his comeback.

Bolton moved Ivan Campo to right back and Daniel Braaten was brought on to give the Wanderers an extra added edge in the final third of the field.

On 79 minutes the Trotters where almightily unlucky not to have snatched a winner. Wilhelmsson's shot was saved by Bywater, Anelka thundered the rebound onto the crossbar and Nolan was unable to fire in the loose ball.

Both sides cancelled each other out and the point from a Derby perspective was much more welcome than from a Bolton perspective.

That said, Bolton now go into two home games against FK Rabotnicki and Chelsea with an unbeaten record stretching back four games.

BOLTON WANDERERS: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Joey O'Brien (Daniel Braaten), Andy O'Brien, Abdoulaye Meite, Ricardo Gardner, Kevin Nolan, Ivan Campo, Gary Speed (Gavin McCann), Kevin Davies (Christian Wilhelmsson), Nicolas Anelka, El-Hadji Diouf

SUBS NOT USED: Stelios Giannakopoulos, Ali Al-Habsi (GK)

DERBY COUNTY: Stephen Bywater, Tyrone Mears, Dean Leacock, Claude Davis, James McEveley, Stephen Pearson, David Jones (Giles Barnes), Matthew Oakley, Eddie Lewis (Gary Teale), Steve Howard, Kenny Miller

SUBS NOT USED: Robert Earnshaw, Andy Griffin, Darren Moore

ATTENDANCE:

31,503

REFEREE:

Rob Styles

BOOKED:

Jones (Derby)

J.O'Brien (Bolton)

McEveley (Derby)

Bywater (Derby)

Diouf (Bolton)

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