Football: Bergsson strikes from long range

Phil Casey

Bolton Wanderers 1

Barnsley 1

The Bolton captain, Gudni Bergsson, scored an extraordinary goal to give his side a share of the points at the Reebok Stadium yesterday.

Georgi Hristov gave the visitors the lead after 19 minutes. The Macedonian international was the quickest to react after Darren Sheridan took advantage of a quickly-taken free-kick to fire in a shot that Gavin Ward could only parry, and Hristov stooped to head in from five yards out.

Bergsson levelled the scores eight minutes before the interval. Barnsley failed to clear Sellars' corner and the ball fell to him on the right hand side, some 40 yards from goal. A cross into the crowded area looked certain but Bergsson let fly and David Watson was powerless to prevent the ball reaching the top corner.

Ashley Ward went close with a spectacular overhead kick in the first minute and after six minutes blasted over on the turn. Clint Marcelle then sent Hristov racing clear only for the 21-year-old to hit the side-netting.

Marcelle was again the provider on 17 minutes when his header put Hristov past the last defender. The Macedonian was unlucky to see his shot come back off the foot of the post.

Just as Barnsley had dominated the first half, Bolton took charge of the second period, with Per Frandsen creating their best two chances.

Two minutes after the restart his low drive from the edge of the penalty area forced a smart low save from Watson.

Frandsen then supplied the cross which saw Nathan Blake flash a diving header just wide of the far post.

Barnsley were struggling to get out of their own half but the home side lacked the necessary guile to break down stubborn resistance.

They could count themselves unlucky not to have taken the lead after 76 minutes, however, Frandsen's free-kick from just outside the area crashing against the bar before being scrambled away. A minute later Blake outstripped the defence, only to fire into the side netting.

Bolton Wanderers: Ward, Frandsen, Pollock, Sellars, Blake, Bergsson, Beardsley, Johansen (Gunnlaugsson, 58), Todd, Fish (Taggart, 62; Cox, 67), Whitlow. Substitutes not used: Carr, Jaaskelainen (gk).

Barnsley: Watson, Eaden, Sheridan, Moses, De Zeeuw, Redfearn, Marcelle (Liddell, 72), Tinkler, Hristov (Hendrie, 67), Barnard, Ward. Substitutes not used: T Bullock (gk), Appleby, Krizan.

Referee: S W Dunn (Bristol).