Bolton Wanderers were denied a pre-season victory over Tranmere Rovers by a second-half Eliot Richards goal in their 1-1 draw at Prenton Park on Friday evening.
Jay Spearing gave the Trotters a first-half lead, but new Rovers signing Richards cancelled out that strike on 74 minutes as the League One team held their own on Merseyside.
After a quiet opening 20 minutes, Darren Pratley and Mark Davies each went close before their midfielder partner Spearing put the finishing touches to a smart move to give Bolton a 37th-minute advantage.
The former Liverpool man received a return pass from Craig Davies to fire past Owain Fon Williams from distance.
Kayode Odejayi, who is another summer recruit by Tranmere boss Rob Edwards, should have levelled prior to the break when he headed over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box.
Bolton too could have added to the scores in the latter stages of the first period, but Fon Williams produced a smart reflex save to tip a Matthew Mills header over the bar following Spearing's set piece.
Rovers twice called Andy Lonergan into action with long-range shots after the interval and, as Bolton manager Dougie Freedman continued to make changes, Tranmere maintained their forward push.
Cole Stockton brought a better save out of the visiting keeper with a powerful 73rd-minute shot, but, less than 60 seconds later, ex-Bristol Rovers forward Richards poked home to ruin Lonergan's clean sheet.
Fon Williams kept out a well-struck free kick from Bolton youngster Conor Wilkinson two minutes from time as Tranmere picked up another positive result against higher-division opposition, having drawn with Everton earlier this week.
Joe Fish
