WITH the prospect of promotion gone, Bolton allowed a lead to slip away to a hard working Crewe side, as Bolton gave a lacklustre display that confirmed the season to be almost over.

It had all started brightly as Bolton took the game to Crewe, enjoying the lion's share of possession and with it a host of half-chances. However, the penalty corner routine was misfiring badly and it seemed that Bolton might have been labouring in vain, only for Andy Jones to cap a fantastic personal first half with a crisp shot from a rebound.

It was Bolton's only reward, as a series of injuries disrupted the pattern of play. Crewe had lost one defender, who had chosen a headed clearance from a Wood's piledriver, but had the luxury of a sub. Bolton had Aitken limping from the start to be joined by strike partner Monte, who took a crack on the ankle. With two walking wounded, the attack was rendered impotent.

With no end product, Bolton's midfield attempted to do the attackingHockey scene but played into the hands of a packed Crewe defence, who then launched swift counter attacks with half the pitch to play in, in sharp contrast to the massed bodies in their area.

Using the space well, Crewe stretched the Bolton defence to breaking pointand added a neat flick finish to a scrappy move. They could have had more, but settled for a smash and grab second, a reverse stick drive surprising the hard pressed Neville in the goal.

In truth, Bolton should have won but Crewe deserved the points for wanting it more.