IT will be lonely this Christmas playing up front for the Wanderers if this match is anything to go by.

After Max Clayton’s unfortunate injury, young Conor Wilkinson ploughed a lonely furrow against the Tractor boys, starved of a decent supply and desperately in need of a Fans Aid single to give him help.

Neil Lennon’s honeymoon period is over and this was a real test of the progress made under his management against a good, well-coached and tough Ipswich Town side who deserve their second place in the Championship.

The result was a hard-earned point, won from the back by a resolute back four who put everything on the line to stop Ipswich running away with this match, and when they were beaten, Andy Lonergan came to the rescue with a series of great saves.

The weather was atrocious at times as the fans, who had bravely dodged Christmas shopping, tried to lift the team against the odds.

The midfield worked their socks off to stem the Ipswich tide and Darren Pratley is probably still seeing stars after a nasty head collision.

As Bolton players were going down like ninepins, Eidur Gudjohnsen came home to a great reception and showed a few touches of class and commitment, earning himself a booking from the referee, Mr Sutton who was giving cards out like it was Christmas.

It was a tough game and we fought well but we had nothing up front.

A third consecutive clean sheet is good but with the injuries to Clayton, Craig Davies and Joe Mason, I’m looking in the attic for my old pair of football boots, just in case I get the call.

Or maybe, some of the stars returning for Kevin Davies’s testimonial might be willing to follow Eidur’s lead and help us in our hour of need.

Even Emile Heskey short term is appealing right now.