Bolton frustrate Leeds

Leeds Keeper Nigel Martyn clears a Bolton attack

Leeds 0-0 Bolton

Surprise Premiership table-toppers Bolton notched another notable result by holding title hopefuls Leeds to a goalless draw at Elland Road.

But Bolton had to endure a tense finish to hold onto a deserved point.

Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen's excellently saved to deny Robbie Keane two minutes from the end and Ian Harte's 18-yard free-kick was narrowly off target.

The visitors lost the only 100% record in the top-flight but the Premiership newcomers remain unbeaten after four games.

I'm disappointed not to get the three points but I suppose I can't complain too much with the fact that we've won two and drawn two of our first four matches

Leeds manager David O'Leary

Leeds were restricted to only rare sights of the visitors goal as Sam Allardyce's tactics of playing a 4-5-1 formation paid off.

Bolton's five-man midfield and defending was too much for Leeds to break down, with lone striker Michael Ricketts a threat for the visitors throughout the game.

The home side were continually frustrated by a team which has now conceded only one goal in their four league outings.

Leeds got a taste of what was to follow as early as the fourth minute.

Striker Robbie Keane had a shot blocked by Gudni Bergsson and his subsequent appeals for a penalty denied.

But Bolton were far from overawed. Ian Nolan had a shot blocked by Rio Ferdinand and, with Ricketts eyeing up an opportunity, Dominic Matteo cleared.

Leeds could not break the shackles put on them by Bolton and the absence of one of the Elland Road side's midfield lynchpins did not help.

Lee Bowyer was suspended for the home side and his drive and energy through the Leeds midfield was missed.

When the home side were given glimpses of goal, they could not take advantage.

I felt we matched Leeds very well today and deserved this point, and our confidence remains high and we will do all we can to stay out in front

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce

Jason Wilcox, making his first Leeds start since February, latched onto a Mark Viduka knock-back from a Harte free-kick midway through the first half.

But Wilcox headed tamely at keeper Jaaskelainen.

Viduka found Wilcox in space inside the Bolton area after 36 minutes but his shot was well-saved.

Simon Charlton then fouled Viduka just before half-time and Jaaskelainen had to tip a trademark Harte free-kick over his bar.

Leeds exerted some increased pressure in search of a goal but could not find the incisive qualities to create a clear opening.

Leeds could have overtaken top-of-the-table Bolton with a win but the visitors held David O'Leary's title hopefuls at bay to maintain their lofty position.

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Leeds: Martyn, Kelly, Ferdinand, Matteo, Harte, Wilcox, Dacourt, Batty, Kewell, Viduka, Keane. Subs: Woodgate, Robinson, McPhail, Bakke, Maybury.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Charlton, Bergsson, Farrelly, Whitlow, Frandsen, Nolan, Pedersen, Barness, Hansen, Ricketts. Subs: Banks, Holdsworth, Marshall, Richardson, Nishizawa.

Referee: S Bennett (Kent).