CARELESS mistakes cost Lancaster City dear in a pre-season friendly against newly-promoted Bolton Wanderers last week after they had matched their illustrious neighbours for much of the game. The carelessness showed after just two minutes when Robbie Armstrong fluffed a clearance straight to Bryan Small. City's keeper Mark Thornley came out well and stopped Small's first shot but was well beaten by the second although Armstrong redeemed himself by clearing the ball off the line. Bolton continued attacking but were denied again by Steve McNeilis, who also cleared the ball off the line and out of danger.

Bolton got a reward for their attacking pressure in the 17th minute when Dean Holden played a neat ball between wo players to Lee Potter. He quickly threaded it to Costa Xiourouppa who curled a shot past Thornley from 15 yards. City awoke and got to grips with the game.

In the 34th minute Lancaster's efforts led to a string of 6 corners but Bolton's defence was rock solid.

The pressure continued and in the 44th minute a foul on Mark Dobie gave Paul Lodge a free kick which David Beckham would have been proud of. From 25 yards out, Lodge curled a kick around the wall towards the top corner but Glennon made a spectacular save.

At half-time, City made three substitutions to try and launch more attacks but in the 50th minute, an error in midfield gave the ball to Xiourouppa who played a good through ball to Small. He blasted the ball past Thornley from 20 yards out and this time there was no-one on the line to stop the ball going in the net Lancaster were not willing to give up and put together a string of dangerous attacks. City pushed Bolton's defence to their limit and got a goal in the 73rd minute.

After a string of 5 corners, Gary Worthington curled the ball deep into the box where Martin headed onto Jay Flannery who coolly put the ball past Glennon.

After the match, City's assistant manager, Wayne Harrison, said: "The lads have played well against a strong side and have proved that they are a skilful side themselves. They've made a couple of mistakes which they were punished for but these matches are just learning experiences."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.