Bolton Wanderers held by Brondby in pre-season opener

Bolton Wanderers missed the chance to kick off their pre-season campaign with a win as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Brondby this evening.

The Danish outfit started the better of both sides but it took the best part of 30 minutes for Thomas Frank's side to edge ahead in the contest.

Johan Elmander, who spent three years with Bolton, came back to haunt his old club by firing the hosts ahead just after the half-hour mark.

Wanderers spurned the opportunity to restore parity before the break, as Mark Davies won a penalty but Jermaine Beckford sent the resulting spot kick wide of the post.

However, Dougie Freedman's troops were given a shot at redemption by winning yet another penalty two minutes into the second half, and Craig Davies kept his cool from 12 yards to slot home the equaliser.

Bolton swiftly established themselves as the stronger team without finding a second, and any hopes of a late winner were dashed on 87 minutes as Rob Hall was sent off for a lunge on Dario Dumic.