Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Portsmouth: Blues promotion celebrations on hold after draw

Aaron Collins scored the equaliser for Bolton to scupper Portsmouth's plans for promotion celebrations

Bolton held Portsmouth to a 1-1 draw at the Toughsheet Stadium in a nervy match that put the Blues' promotion celebrations on hold.

Portsmouth - who would have secured the League One title and promotion to the Championship with a win - got off to the perfect start through the boot of Abu Kamara who raced towards goal and struck low into the back of Nathan Baxter's net after only seven minutes.

The home side responded well, equalising in the first half through Aaron Collins who glanced the ball into the back of Will Norris' net.

Both sides had chances to win all three points in the second half but neither could find the moment to secure a win, as third-placed Bolton fall four points behind Derby meaning their automatic promotion hopes are no longer in their hands.

• Relive Saturday's League One action as it happened

League leaders Portsmouth had one hand on the League One trophy when Kamara sprinted at the Bolton defence and scored, stunning the stadium into silence as Portsmouth's supporters released blue smoke flares, confetti and balloons from their away end.

But the Trotters responded well after going behind, taking charge of the possession and creating chances, forcing John Mousinho's side deeper into their own half.

They were rewarded for their pressure as Nathanael Ogbeta crossed to the head of Collins who headed into the net on 36 minutes for his fifth goal in Bolton's last three games and celebrated in front of Portsmouth's supporters.

Just before the break the home side then came close to taking the lead after Will Norris parried a shot right into the path of Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, who fired over from close range.

Portsmouth boss Mousinho recognised the need for more at the break, replacing midfielder Owen Moxon with Chelsea loanee Tino Anjorin, and minutes later made a further three attacking changes in an effort to find a goal.

The game started to open up with 20 minutes remaining, as Portsmouth's Tino Anjorin jinxed his way past a couple of defenders before striking from distance narrowly wide of Baxter's goal.

With 10 minutes left, Bolton rolled the dice, replacing their front two, triggering enthusiastic applause as Dion Charles and Cameron Jerome were introduced but neither side could find the winner.

Portsmouth will have to wait until Tuesday when they play Barnsley at their home Fratton Park to try again to clinch their long-awaited promotion, while Bolton host Shrewsbury.

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho told BBC Radio Solent:

"We're delighted with the point but really displeased with the way we reacted after going a goal ahead.

"We started really well but then went into our shells a bit and made some uncharacteristic decisions.

"As soon as it levelled up we clicked back into gear but needed half time.

"The second half performance deserved a point but Bolton will probably consider themselves a bit unlucky."