Lancaster City 1 Bolton Wanderers 1 MAKE no mistake about it, this was no pre-season kick-about in the sun against a Football League club's reserve side.

Bolton fielded five first team regulars at Giant Axe last week, including top strikers John McGinlay and Fabian DeFreitas, but they still couldn't overcome Alan Tinsley's strengthened side.

The Blues, with debutants Robbie Armstrong, Carl McCauley, Jimmy Brown and Steve McNeilis all taking part, had to work hard to win the ball from the professionals but work hard they did and it looked like they had blunted Bolton's first half efforts.

But in the 43rd minute DeFreitas was set free and he broke the deadlock with a powerful effort that left Mark Thornley stranded.

The usual pre-season friendly half-time substitutions changed both line-ups although the game followed a similar pattern in the second period - Bolton showing some neat passing but being denied space by City.

The Giant Axe men survived a scare ten minutes from time when Thornley was saved by his crossbar and moments later they were level, Peter Borrowdale's right wing cross eluding everyone and ending up in the back of the net.

The Blues are in action at Giant Axe tonight against Dalton and next Tuesday night, July 30, they travel to Martin Eatough's Great Harwood Town, kick-off 7.30pm.

The Lancaster City v Burnley pre-season friendly has now been moved from Monday August 12 to Tuesday August 13. Kick-off is still at 7pm.

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