Bolton 1 - Brentford 1: Dann's equaliser cancels out Swift's opener as spoils are shared

Neil Danns celebrates scoring Bolton's equalising goal against Brentford

BOLTON showed fighting spirit on the pitch despite a growing financial crisis off it as Neil Danns’ equaliser prevented Brentford from giving interim boss Lee Carsley the perfect send-off.

 

Midfielder Danns bobbled in an equaliser after an early goal from John Swift, inset, looked set to give the visitors victory on the day they appointed Dean Smith as their new manager.

It was just the boost that Wanderers, the Championship’s bottom club, needed after revealing that their players have not received their wages for November amid a growing financial crisis.

Isle of Man-based owner Eddie Davies is looking to sell the club, and while he is prepared to write off the £172.9million in loans he has made to sustain them, he will not put in any more money.

 



John Swift giving the Bees the lead after 10 minutes



Neil Lennon’s players put their own financial concerns to one side as they gave a spirited performance against an in-form Brentford.

Smith, who has left League One promotion hopefuls Walsall to take charge at Griffin Park, will inherit a team pushing for a Championship play-off spot thanks to Carsley’s work over the last two months.

They got a perfect start, as Chelsea loanee Swift gave them a 10th-minute lead, bending his shot around Ben Amos.

 

Lee Carsley of Brentford and Bolton's Neil Lennon during the draw at the Macron Stadium

But the Bolton keeper twice halted Brentford from adding to their lead before half-time, spreading himself well to deny Danish striker Lasse Vibe, and then tipping over a fierce shot from Swift, left unmarked at the far post from an Alan Judge cross.

Brentford could not convert their chances and Jake Bidwell headed wide after a Ryan Woods cross had found him clear early in the second half. And they paid the price as Danns mis-hit a shot that found a way through a crowd of defenders and went in off the post.

Bolton, chasing only a second league victory of the season, might even have gone in front after that, but Brentford keeper David Button made an excellent block to deny Shola Ameobi at close range. A brilliant late one-handed Amos save denied Vibe a winner.