Tough guy Sammy earns draw

David O'Leary knew it would be rude to spoil Sam Allardyce?s moment in the sun, but he couldn?t altogether hide his exasperation as Bolton left Elland Road with the point that kept them at the top of the Premiership for at least another week.

There was no wild celebration from Bolton, just the satisfaction of a job well done. The fighting spirit exemplified by their defence ? swiftly reinforced at the first hint of trouble, and backed off the field by Allardyce?s modern, holistic approach to the game ? has worked wonders and stunned the sceptics.

But, as O?Leary pointed out, Bolton will find the momentum increasingly difficult to maintain as the long season draws on. The Leeds manager, though disappointed that Robbie Keane?s one clear opportunity went unconverted, could be reasonably content that he had avoided one of the damaging defeats that left his team with an impossible post-Christmas chase to catch the leading pack last season.

He said: ?Bolton had to make sure they didn?t get battered from the first game, so they are making life hard for people. They are going to frustrate, hustle and harry, and good luck to them. Sam has come up with a system. Why should he change it? They?re bubbling and fighting for each other. ?But it?s easy to defend. It?s hard to create and it?s even harder to coach players to create more. I believe in more than not giving anything away. My teams will always try and score goals, home and away.

?Bolton play one man up, Michael Ricketts. He?s a good, honest lad who chased his socks off against us ? but whether he?ll be able to do that for the whole of the season is another thing.? Allardyce and his players are realists, but, like their fans, are savouring the moment.

Former Leeds full back Mike Whitlow, impressive on his return as an emergency centre half, said: ?The big feller upstairs must be looking after us. We were shattered at the end. We could hardly walk out of the showers, but it was a magnificent team performance. We?re not daft, we know it could all come to an end next week, but we?re determined to enjoy this while we can.?

Allardyce has overhauled his support structure, employing the technological wizardry of the Prozone system and employing fitness and diet experts and even a psychologist at the Reebok Stadium to ensure the best backup for his club?s unlikely tilt at the giants.