BOLTON'S porous defence celebrated the unlikely achievement of keeping the Premiership's hottest property at bay as they earned their first clean sheet in 15 matches drawing 0-0 at Everton.

But Trotters boss Sam Allardyce had only words of praise for 17-year-old Wayne Rooney after watching him assault the visitors' back-line almost single-handedly during the Goodison Park stalemate.

Three times Rooney was denied by point-blank saves from the brilliant Jussi Jaaskelainen - and he also slammed a rising 62nd minute shot against the bar.

Allardyce admitted the goalless draw - which kept his own side above the drop zone and extended Everton's poor run to one win in six - was the last thing he expected.

His side had not kept a clean sheet since their win at Old Trafford on September 11, had leaked three goals against Newcastle on Boxing Day, and had the phenomenal Rooney to contend with.

Allardyce said: "Wayne Rooney was without doubt the one player on the pitch who could have turned the game at any moment by himself.

"He is an excellent goalscorer and his all-round game is very good and he will keep improving. He is getting some gentle handling and is right not to listen to people who say he should be playing more from the start.

"David Moyes is doing a great job with him, keeping his head focused and making sure he listens only to David Moyes - and none of the outside influences."

BURY had to come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at Gigg Lane against Kidderminster Harriers yesterday.

After a goalless first half it was the Harriers who took the lead with a Bo Henriksen penalty on 49 minutes.

However, the Shakers salavaged a point with a 77th minute strike from Jon Newby.

A Black

day for

Brown's

outfit

IT WAS a nightmare Christmas for Preston North End boss Craig Brown, whose side have lost all three matches over the festive period without scoring a goal.

On Saturday, it was Crystal Palace striker Tommy Black, who got Brown down as he responded to his manager's blast with both goals in a 2-0 win over Preston which put Palace firmly back in the play-off hunt.

Black has been the inspiration behind a run of four wins in five league games, but his manager accused him of taking a day off in a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth on Boxing Day.

The motivational tactic worked as the former Arsenal trainee reacted with a tireless performance at Selhurst Park and received a standing ovation after his goals in each half sealed victory.

Brown admitted he hopes to strengthen his side and he is on the look-out for a striker to replace Ricardo Fuller, sidelined for the rest of the season with a knee ligament injury.

Brown said: "We need to look seriously at supplementing the squad. We have to look at the availability of certain guys.

"I'm looking at more than one player. We have been looking all season, but it's more necessary when you haven't scored a goal in three games.

"Black was the difference and Palace deserved to win. They were first to every ball. That's a cause for concern."