IT might not have been pretty, but that won't bother manager Alan Curbishley when he watches the video of Saturday's goal-less draw against Bolton Wanderers that stretched the Addicks recent run of unbeaten games to four.

Charlton's fine form around Christmas last season was the catalyst for their best season for 47 years and on a freezing day at the Reebok Stadium, the players seemed to remember that perspiration was just as crucial a contribution to that run as inspiration.

Kevin Lisbie had the best chance of a Charlton winner but an outstreched palm from Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen diverted his shot wide after the striker, with three goals in his last two games, was put clean through after half-an-hour.

Curbishley said: "They surprised me a bit by playing three up front, but perhaps they needed to go for the win and that forced us to reorganise slightly. We didn't just go for the point, but we've got to be happy with the draw really, because they created better chances than us.

"It was an unspectacular game, but it's another point and we've kept our good recent run going."

But Bolton's top-scorer Michael Ricketts came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half when, set free by an astute Rod Wallace pass, he crashed his shot past Dean Kiely but it hit the crossbar.

Ricardo Gardner looked threatening down the left flank and Kiely had to react swiftly to save his low shot as the first half came to a close.

The pattern continued after the break. Kevin Nolan's snapshot went over the bar and Bolton's attacks broke down as forwards were selflessly closed down, passes went astray and shots were hurried.

Indeed, they had Jaaskelainen to thank when he diverted Claus Jensen's free-kick over the bar

midway through the second half.

Jonatan Johansson came on for for the subdued Scott Parker, and he would probably have liked to have been on the pitch longer when he skewed his late shot wide after a good pass from Lisbie.

Bolton also had their late chances with Wallace opting to head backwards to a team-mate instead of an attempt at goal from six yards, while sub Dean Holdsworth should have done better with a free header.

December 21, 2001 16:00