Luton were frustrated by League One high-flyers Bolton as the teams played out a drab goalless draw in the FA Cup third round at Kenilworth Road.
Rob Edwards fielded a near-full strength side in spite of the hosts’ ongoing fight to survive in their debut Premier League campaign, but they were unable to break down the side currently sitting second in the third tier.
Alfie Doughty struck a post in the final moments, the nearest Luton came to finally picking Bolton off, that after substitutes Andros Townsend and Jordan Clarke had both gone close in the second half.
Bolton began well and looked a worthy match for Luton, limiting the hosts to a single long-range effort from Ross Barkley which was easily saved by Nathan Baxter in the opening 15 minutes.
At the other end, Josh Sheehan briefly had Tim Krul worried with a 25-yard piledriver that whistled over the crossbar.
Elijah Adebayo glanced a header across goal from Amari’i Bell’s outswinging cross on the half-hour mark that was watched safely behind by Baxter, as Luton struggled to match the kind of attacking intensity that had seen them cause such hardship here for Premier League opponents in recent months.
Barkley tried again from distance and found only the goalkeeper’s gloves.
Tahith Chong teed up Albert Sambi Lokonga late in the half to drive perhaps Luton’s best opening wide of the post from just outside the box.
Certainly it was as close as either side came to breaking the deadlock ahead of a welcome half-time interval.
Carlton Morris had the best chance of the game so far when he headed towards the top corner from Chiedozie Ogbene’s cross from right, a fine reflex save by Baxter beating it clear, before Doughty, unusually subdued by his own recent standards, saw a low effort aimed towards the far post deflected wide.
The longer it stayed goalless, the more the League One side seemed to grow in confidence.
Paris Maghoma and Victor Adeboyejo combined well in a central position high inside the Luton half, but the move was scrubbed out before either player could get a shot away.
Bolton had won four in a row in the league and 10 of their last 13, putting pressure on leaders Portsmouth in the race to reach the Championship.
Yet there was little sign here of Ian Evatt’s side keeping anything back for the promotion run-in. As the tie entered its final 20 minutes, they continued to match Luton’s organisation and work-rate beat for beat.
The hosts gamely kept at it without ever truly showing signs of top-flight class.
Townsend emerged from the bench and tested Baxter’s reach with a fine curling effort low towards the corner, that after fellow substitute Clarke had seen a rasping effort deflected wide.
Their growing frustrations were summed up when Doughty miscued horribly with a cross that sailed harmlessly into the rafters of the stand to the delight of the away supporters.
There was almost late drama when Doughty struck a post with a blistering drive, then Bolton survived a penalty scare when VAR was called on to check a Will Forrester challenge on the same player.
A draw and a replay were no more than Bolton deserved.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Man Utd have reached an agreement to sign Byran Mbeumo Who do you think will get there first? Who do you think will get there first? (Part 2) lol Man Utd know what they need this summer Joao Pedro vs Havertz Arne Slot and Alexander Isak spotted at Coldplay concert… Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, Bleac...
Multiple sources close to the situation have informed CaughtOffside that Chelsea recently held "new talks" with Eze's camp, after also speaking with the player last summer.Chelsea didn't advance their pursuit of Eze on that occasion, but it now seems the Blues have expressed a clear intent to rival Arsenal for him in this transfer window.Our source told us: "Chelsea recently held new talks with th...
Grealish, 29, looks set for a move away from the Etihad this summer after struggling for minutes last season.Jack Grealish has reportedly agreed to train away from the rest of the Man City teamThe winger has been unable to tie down a place as a regular starter under Pep Guardiola in recent seasons and started just seven Premier League games last term.While Guardiola chose to leave Grealish out of ...
The Reds are open to selling Nunez, but are sticking to their asking price of €70m, sources close to the situation have informed CaughtOffside.Nunez has struggled to find his best form at Liverpool, but he's not been short of suitors this summer as clubs still view him as someone with the potential to succeed outside of the Premier League.Sources have confirmed to CaughtOffside that the "str...
Man City approach Burnley over goalkeeper TraffordManchester City have reportedly made formal contact with Burnley to discuss the potential return of their former academy graduate James Trafford. The 22-year-old goalkeeper, currently at Turf Moor, is the subject of renewed interest from his boyhood club just two years after being sold.West Ham could offload Alvarez this summerLess than a year befo...
Al Ain FC v Juventus FC: Group G - FIFA Club World Cup 2025The veteran keeper, who won Euro 2016 with Portugal, has played for Sporting CP, AS Roma, Wolverhampton, Atalanta, and Al AinAl Ain FC v Juventus FC: Group G - FIFA Club World Cup 2025WHAT HAPPENED?After missing out on Keylor Navas, Pumas UNAM are turning their attention to veteran Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio, who famously helped Po...
FBL-EUR-C4-REAL BETIS-CHELSEANoni Madueke has revealed he wants to "win it all" and help Arsenal "take that next step" to silverware. The Gunners shelled out £52 million (€60m/$69.9m) for the winger, who has signed a five-year contract at the Emirates Stadium. The transfer was finalised on Friday, sending a clear message about the Gunners' ambitions for the upcoming season.WHAT HAPPENED...
Erling Haaland Manchester City 2025Fans have called for Erling Haaland to move to Serie A after he professed his love for Italy in a post on social media while on a summer break in Rome.WHAT HAPPENED?In a post uploaded to Instagram, Haaland confessed he loves Italy and praised the beauty of Rome, where he has recently spent time on holiday with girlfriend Isabel Johansen. The Norwegian pair were s...
Chelsea FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier LeagueChelsea have unveiled their latest group of first-year scholars for the 2025-26 campaign and among the standout names are Reggie Walsh and Isago Silva, the son of veteran defender Thiago Silva. In total, 16 academy players have committed to the next stage of their football development at the west London outfit, reaffirming the club’s ongoing commi...
Erik ten Hag Bayer Leverkusen 2025Bayer Leverkusen endured the nightmare start to Erik ten Hag's reign as his first game in charge ended in a shocking 5-1 defeat.WHAT HAPPENED?Leverkusen were put to the sword by Brazilian club Flamengo's youth side in a humiliating start to former United manager Ten Hag's time at the Bundesliga club. The German giants largely fielded a second-string team but stars...
- 1 Brooklyn Beckham's ex inspires Palmer as Chelsea crush PSG
- 2 Spurs get huge lift in Morgan Gibbs-White row
- 3 Model skips Lamine Yamal's party over 'weird demands'
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Jude Bellingham finally undergoes surgery on recurrent dislocated shoulder injury as Real Madrid confirm successful procedure for England star ahead of long layoff
- 6 Noni Madueke parties at Wireless with Jadon Sancho
- 7 Chelsea's wage offer to Jadon Sancho revealed
- 8 Xabi Alonso sends warning to Real Madrid stars after PSG thrashing
- 9 Chelsea star’s stunning model Wag captured 'best UFO footage ever'
- 10 Javier Tebas offers reason behind Barcelona's failed Nico Williams pursuit