Match report

Doncaster Draws 1-1 With Bolton in League One Clash

Doncaster
Doncaster
1–1
FT
Bolton
Bolton
Jan 1, 2026

Doncaster held off a late charge to secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Bolton in their League One encounter. Goalscorers G. Middleton for Doncaster and K. Dempsey for Bolton were the standouts, while multiple substitutions and cautions added to the game's intensity.

Key Facts

  • • Doncaster's G. Middleton scored in the 54th minute.
  • • Bolton equalized through K. Dempsey in the 78th minute.
  • • J. Osei-Tutu and Xavier Simons were shown yellow cards for Bolton early on.
  • • Owen Bailey and H. Clifton also received cautions for Doncaster late in the game.

Lineups

Doncaster

Formation: 4-1-4-1

Starting XI

  • 1 I. Lawlor (G)
  • 16 T. Nixon (D)
  • 5 M. Pearson (D)
  • 6 J. McGrath (D)
  • 23 J. Senior (D)
  • 8 G. Broadbent (M)
  • 7 L. Molyneux (M)
  • 4 O. Bailey (M)
  • 22 R. Gotts (M)
  • 17 G. Middleton (M)
  • 9 B. Hanlan (F)

Substitutes

  • 29 T. Lo-Tutala
  • 2 J. Sterry
  • 3 J. Maxwell
  • 11 J. Gibson
  • 14 B. Sharp
  • 15 H. Clifton
  • 27 S. Grehan

Bolton

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 27 T. Miller (G)
  • 14 J. Osei-Tutu (D)
  • 3 C. Forino-Joseph (D)
  • 6 G. Johnston (D)
  • 25 M. Conway (D)
  • 4 X. Simons (M)
  • 21 E. Erhahon (M)
  • 24 M. Forss (M)
  • 48 M. Burstow (M)
  • 11 T. Gale (M)
  • 10 S. Dalby (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 T. Sharman-Lowe
  • 5 R. Taylor
  • 8 J. Sheehan
  • 16 A. Morley
  • 19 A. Cozier-Duberry
  • 22 K. Dempsey
  • 45 J. McAtee

Timeline

  1. Doncaster
    25' Doncaster subst · Substitution 1
    Off: George Broadbent · On: H. Clifton
  2. Bolton
    36' Bolton Card · Yellow Card
    J. Osei-Tutu

    Argument

  3. Bolton
    47' Bolton Card · Yellow Card
    Xavier Simons

    Off the ball foul

  4. Doncaster
    54' Doncaster Goal · Normal Goal
    G. Middleton
  5. Bolton
    55' Bolton subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Xavier Simons · On: J. Sheehan
  6. Bolton
    55' Bolton subst · Substitution 2
    Off: T. Gale · On: A. Cozier-Duberry
  7. Bolton
    55' Bolton subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. Burstow · On: John McAtee
  8. Bolton
    65' Bolton subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Forss · On: K. Dempsey
  9. Bolton
    70' Bolton Card · Yellow Card
    K. Dempsey

    Foul

  10. Doncaster
    75' Doncaster Card · Yellow Card
    Owen Bailey

    Foul

  11. Bolton
    77' Bolton subst · Substitution 5
    Off: E. Erhahon · On: A. Morley
  12. Bolton
    78' Bolton Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Dempsey · Assist: A. Cozier-Duberry
  13. Doncaster
    81' Doncaster Card · Yellow Card
    H. Clifton

    Foul

  14. Doncaster
    85' Doncaster subst · Substitution 2
    Off: G. Middleton · On: J. Gibson
  15. Doncaster
    85' Doncaster subst · Substitution 3
    Off: B. Hanlan · On: B. Sharp

Match Stats

Stat Doncaster Bolton
Fouls 10 12
Pass Accuracy 62% 75%
Offsides — —
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 13 11
Corners 3 3
Total Passes 276 400
Yellow Cards 2 3
Blocked Shots 3 5
Shots on Target 6 1
xG 1.29 0.86
Shots off Target 4 5
Possession 42% 58%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 172 301
Shots Inside Box 10 8
Saves 0 5
Shots Outside Box 3 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The early substitutions by both teams set a fast-paced tone, especially with George Broadbent coming on for Doncaster.
  • ▸ K. Dempsey's equalizer for Bolton just minutes after entering as a substitute turned the momentum in favor of the visitors.