ELIOT Richards' fourth goal of pre-season earned Tranmere a 1-1 draw against Bolton Wanderers on Friday night.

The summer signing headed in from close range in the second half to cancel out Jay Spearing's opener for the visitors.

An early shot from Craig Davies was blocked by Michael Ihiekwe, while Jason Koumas side stepped a challenge at the other end before shooting at Andy Lonergan from 25 yards.

Kayode Odejayi headed a crossfield ball from trialist Ibou Touray into the path of Koumas on 17 minutes and the midfielder saw his 15 yard shot deflect behind for a corner.

Owain Fon Williams watched on as Darren Pratley side footed over from 12 yards following good work on the left wing from Mark Davies and the Rovers keeper did well to keep out a long range strike from Jermaine Beckford soon after.

After a water break for both teams, Bolton took the lead on 35 minutes. Jay Spearing played a one two with Craig Davies before expertly firing a low shot past Fon Williams into the bottom left corner of the goal from 25 yards.

Kayode Odejayi missed a chance to level on 38 minutes when he headed over Jake Kirby's right wing cross from close range, while Fon Williams pulled off a good save to tip over Matt Mills' back post header.

Odejayi diverted a cross from Max Power towards Abdulai Baggie on 44 minutes but the winger was under pressure from a defender as he stretched and missed the target from six yards.

Trialist Gerardo Bruna - on for Jake Kirby at half time - brought a save out of Lonergan with a left foot shot from outside the area and Koumas tested the keeper on the hour mark after a surging run through the Bolton half.

Clayton McDonald, Danny Holmes and Matt Gill replaced Michael Ihiekwe, Ibou Touray and Max Power and it was a crossfield ball from Gill that released Bruna on 61 minutes, with the winger bringing a good save out of Lonergan from 25 yards.

Danny Holmes curled inches past the left hand post on 70 minutes and five minutes later Rovers were level. A cross from James Rowe was headed across goal by Stockton allowing Eliot Richards to head in from the goal line.

Bruna tested Lonergan again with a curling free kick on 82 minutes while Fon Williams saved late on from Dorian Dervite.

Tranmere: Fon Williams, Woodards (Gumbs 80), Ihiekwe (McDonald 58), Holness, Touray (Holmes 58), Baggie, Power (Gill 58), Rowe, Kirby (Bruna 45), Koumas (Stockton 63), Odejayi (Richards 63). Substitutes: Ramsbottom.

Bolton: Lonergan, McNaughton, Moxey, Mills, Dervite, Spearing, Danns, Pratley (Kamara 56), Mark Davies (Feeney 45), Beckford (Wilkinson 45), Craig Davies. Substitutes: Fitzsimons, White, Ream, Riley, Kamara, Lester, Lee, Bolger, Wilkinson, Youngs, Feeney.

www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/article/report-bolton-250714-1783102.aspx#OPxTKaRAruu8VjVV.99