Derby extended their league unbeaten run to nine games after a goalless draw with fellow promotion hopefuls Bolton.

The Rams went closest in an even first half when Bolton defender Eoin Toal sliced ​​a clearing attempt from Louie Sibley’s cross onto his own bar, with goalkeeper James Trafford beaten.

Elias Kachunga came close to winning in the death for the hosts but fired his freestyle bicycle kick straight at Derby keeper Joe Wildsmith.

Playing in front of 25,428 supporters – their biggest home crowd since relegation from the Premier League in the 2011-12 season – Bolton frequently caused problems with neat build-up play around the Derby box.

Yet the hosts struggled to break down a resolute Rams defense which has conceded just once in five league games, with Oladapo Afolayan’s deflected strike in the first half one of only two framed attempts.

The Rams were missing top scorer David McGoldrick through illness and also struggled to turn good positions into clean chances, with Jason Knight seeing a goal-bound effort blocked before the break.

A fine move from Bolton after the break, involving Will Aimson, Kieran Lee and Liverpool on loan Conor Bradley, created a big chance for Dion Charles from 10 yards out, but he guided a low shot past the left post.

At the other end, James Collins took the lead when he was well placed, and Knight did the same in the 90th minute, but neither goalkeeper had a save to make in the second half until that Kachunga almost snatches the victory with the final kick of the game.

Bolton, who have won two of their last seven matches, remain in fifth place, 12 points off the automatic promotion places, while a fourth league draw in five moves Derby up to sixth, a point clearer .

Bolton manager Ian Evatt told BBC Radio Manchester:

“These games – I talked about moments of the week – they are always tight and we have to learn how to make the most of those moments.

“We probably had the best chance of the game with Dion, [who] should probably score in a very good spell after half-time.

“I thought when we showed composure we played pretty well, but we didn’t show it enough. Maybe it was the merit of the opposition, maybe with the crowd and the magnitude of the match, we were a bit nervous.

“We gave a good image of ourselves. I think we can do better, but if you can’t win, don’t lose, especially in these big games with six-point momentum.”

Derby County boss Paul Warne told BBC Radio Derby:

“It’s absolutely heartbreaking, the pitch wasn’t exactly conducive for either team to play, and I honestly thought today was one of those days when a goal would come from a mistake, more than a good game.

“They had some good long throws towards the end where I thought it might suit them, and we had some really good chances from set pieces that I’m disappointed we didn’t score on.

“I’m biased, but I thought we were the better team in a pretty tight game.”