Division One: Crystal Palace 0 Bolton Wanderers 0

BOLTON's promotion ambitions were dealt a body blow last night as Sam Allardyce's side could manage only a draw at struggling Crystal Palace.

And it is not only the two points dropped that will hamper Wanderers, who will also have defenders Mike Whitlow and Gudni Bergsson suspended after their red cards left Allardyce side with only nine men at the final whistle.

Whitlow was sent off for two bookable offences after a foul on Clinton Morrison, while Bergsson was also given his marching orders for two yellows, the second of which coming in the 89th minute, again for an altercation with Morrison.

And yet it was Bolton who came closest to scoring, Claus Jensen's corner finding Bergsson whose shot struck the foot of the post half an hour before the Icelandic international saw red.

"The referee was in a different world," stated Allardyce. "I don't mind getting pulled up for my comments because I can't afford this type of thing any more."

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