McClaren makes his point

FA Premiership/Bolton Wanderers 1 Middlesbrough 1: It might be too late to influence the Football Association in their search for the next England manager, though Sam Allardyce would have liked nothing more than to inflict a final and belated blow on his rival.

The opportunity was not taken, however, and Steve McClaren was able to look on with a degree of contentment last night as his Middlesbrough side secured a point ahead of a day when he expects to make one of his own.

Those that questioned his managerial credentials only a few months ago, including the supporter that threw a season ticket at him in disgust at the Riverside, might be forced to reconsider as the FA prepare to unveil McClaren as Sven-Goran Eriksson's successor today. It is a post Allardyce would have cherished but, like his team here, it appears a case of so near and yet so far. For McClaren, who turned 45 yesterday, the ultimate present awaits.

It now appears certain that Sunday's match at Fulham will be the final Premiership fixture he oversees. There could still be a trophy to embellish his record at Middlesbrough and that possibility again influenced the wholesale changes he made last night in Middlesbrough's 62nd match of a rollercoaster season. Only Lee Cattermole and Frank Queudrue survived from the side that held Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday.

Allardyce cut a frustrated figure in the opening half, placing his head in his hands as chances came and went. Bolton were dominant, tearing into the Uefa Cup finalists though they failed to find a vital cutting edge.

Middlesbrough, full of youthful exuberance, were cruelly exposed although in Ross Turnbull McClaren appears to have unearthed another gem. The 21-year-old Middlesbrough goalkeeper produced two fine first-half stops to thwart first Ricardo Vaz Te and then Kevin Nolan.

But two minutes after the interval the visitors struck. Adam Johnson picked up possession on the left before cutting inside Nicky Hunt and curling a superb shot beyond the reach of Jaaskelainen.

Bolton's response was emphatic and within four minutes Vaz Te brought parity, heading in Okocha's swerving cross from the edge of the six-yard box. It was the final blow but a more telling one will surely be landed later today.

BOLTON WANDERERS: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, Ben Haim, Faye, Pedersen, Okocha, Campo (Borgetti 86), Nakata (Speed 75), Nolan (Giannakopoulos 66), Davies, Vaz Te. Subs not used: Walker, Jaidi. Booked: Vaz Te. Goal: Vaz Te 51.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Turnbull, McMahon (Davies 59), Ehiogu, Wheater, Queudrue, Parlour, Doriva, Cattermole, Johnson (Taylor 73), Christie (Maccarone 64), Yakubu. Subs Not Used: Knight, Kennedy. Booked: Cattermole. Goal: Johnson 47.

Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).