PREMIERSHIP outfit Bolton Wanderers brought a strong side to Spotland on Friday but Rochdale more than held their own in an entertaining goalless draw.

Bolton’s first-half team included such well known names as Kevin Nolan, Kevin Davies and Matthew Taylor, but Dale were not to be intimidated by their top tier opponents. The home side looked brighter and sharper than Bolton, perhaps due to the fact this was Dale’s third pre-season game and Bolton’s first.

Keith Hill’s men had most of the possession early on and wasted no time in attacking, creating the first chance of the game after eight minutes. The ball fell to Jon Shaw in the box who dropped a shoulder and turned two defenders to create room for the shot which went narrowly wide.

Dale came very close to conceding a goal just a few minutes later. Davies reacted quickly to an awkward bouncing ball and lobbed goalkeeper Sam Russell for what looked to be a goal before Rory McArdle cleared off the line. Bolton captain Kevin Nolan struck the rebound but Russell was back in his goal to parry for a corner. Bolton then enjoyed their best spell of the first half in terms of keeping possession but failed to create anything up front.

Adam Rundle was causing problems for the Wanderers defence with his energetic runs down the left wing. He displayed some quick foot work to get past several defenders and deliver the cross which was slightly mis-hit, causing Bolton stopper Al Hasbi to scramble the ball to safety.

The match continued to race from one end to the other and it was Bolton’s Taylor who next threatened to score when he hit a powerful shot from distance which forced Russell to fall down to his left and gather. Davies had the final chance of the half when he poked at a speedy delivery into the box but failed to make any contact.

Bolton manager Gary Megson made big changes for the second half, fielding a different team with just Andy O’Brian and Nathan Woolfe remaining from the first half.

Hill made just one change, taking off Adam Le Fondre for Chris Dagnall.

Dagnall hadn’t long been on when he had an excellent chance to put his side in front. Some sloppy defending let in the striker who ended up one on one with the formidable Jussi Jaaskelainen who stood up tall and blocked Dagnall’s shot.

Dale were still looking the more impressive side despite Bolton’s changes. The away team had improved upon their first half performance but Dale’s defence was well organised and the Wanderers didn’t look like scoring.

Scott Wiseman’s night ended early after he took a blow to the face and was taken off for Simon Ramsden after an hour’s play.

Rochdale finished on a high, coming close to scoring twice in the last 10 minutes. Clark Keltie drove a shot from 30 yards and a deflection almost took the ball past Jaaskelainen but flew just over the crossbar, and to everybody’s amazement no corner was given.

With three minutes to go Shaw again came agonisingly close to getting his name on the scoresheet when he went to meet a cross but missed the ball and saw the chance go begging.

Despite there being no goals, the pre-season friendly produced lots of action for the 2,576 in attendance, and Dale fans seemed more than happy with the way their team performed against top-flight opposition.

Rochdale: Russell, Wiseman, Stanton, McArdle, Kennedy, Buckley, Keltie, Jones, Rundle, Le Fondre, Shaw. Subs: Ramsden, Toner, Dagnall, Higginbotham, D’Laryea.

Bolton Wanderers (first half): Hasbi, Stiensson, Samuel, Nolan, Cahill, A O’Brian, Taylor, J O’Brian, Davies, McCann, Woolfe

(second half): Jaaskelainen, Hunt, A O’Brian, Metite, Gardner, Vaz Te, Muamba, Cohen, Woolfe, Dzmaili, Obadeyi. Subs: Sissons, Sinclair, Basham, Harsanyi