Given that there are so few top goalkeepers in England that Arsenal’s Spaniard Manuel Almunia is putting himself forward for Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad, it is a pity Bolton’s Jussi Jaaskelainen has already won 48 caps for Finland.

The performance of Jaaskelainen, who must otherwise have been eligible for British citizenship after 12 years in the country, was the main reason that a lively northwest derby ended goalless. He has maintained consistency over more than 400 appearances for Bolton and as a £100,000 buy, must be the biggest bargain playing in the Premier League.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce had challenged his players to seek their highest position of ninth place, insisting that he would not let the club’s season fizzle out. Instead, Jaaskelainen snuffed them out, making up for an early error with three great saves in the opening 15 minutes, two from Colombia forward Hugo Rodallega, a January transfer-window signing who is yet to score for Wigan.

Jaaskelainen’s efforts meant that Bolton are almost certain to be back at the JJB next season, or rather the DW as it will be known, unless Newcastle win three of their final four games. And there would seem to be more chance of Alan Shearer walking across the Tyne.

Manager Gary Megson pushed another bead across the abacus towards survival, maybe the last one he will need. He said: “Someone just said we’re limping across the line and that is about right. But I don’t see any teams sprinting across the line.”

This was Wigan’s first point in four games since they passed the 40 points that all but guarantees a team having their Premier League status renewed, conceding 10 goals and scoring one in that time. However hard Bruce tries to motivate them, when a team like Wigan starts every season with the ambition only to survive, it is only natural that when they reach their goal, they are thinking more of slapping on the Ambre Solaire than the wintergreen.

Bruce threw down a sports drink bottle in disgust at one sloppy pass and puffed out his cheeks in frustration afterwards as he said: “We should have been out of sight at half-time. Jaaskelainen was probably man of the match and last week at Blackburn, Paul Robinson probably was. We can’t keep saying that the opposition goalkeeper played well.”

After Jaaskelainen made another save a minute from half time, pushing Mido’s fierce shot around a post after a mistake by Fabrice Muamba, Wigan seemed to lose heart of ever beating him. Bruce’s last throw of the dice was to send on Egyptian striker Amr Zaki, who has enough trouble finding his way back to the JJB after international games, let alone the route to goal.

Bolton, in fact, had the best chances to win the game after the break. Johan Elmander’s shot was deflected off Titus Bramble and Kevin Davies blasted over from close range.

Megson said: “I don’t remember Jussi having to make a save in the second half and that’s how it should be.”

Star man: Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton).

Yellow cards: Wigan: Mido, Cattermole. Bolton: Muamba, McCann, Taylor.

Referee: M Jones.

Attendance: 18,655.

WIGAN: Kirkland 6, Melchiot 6 (Boyce h-t, 6), Scharner 6 (Edman 53min, 6), Bramble 6, Figueroa 6, Valencia 7, Brown 6, Cattermole 6, N’Zogbia 6, Rodallega 7, Mido 6 (Zaki 75min).

BOLTON: Jaaskelainen 8, Steinsson 6, Cahill 6, O’Brien 6, Samuel 6, McCann 7, Cohen 7 (Riga 79min), Muamba 6, Taylor 6, Davies 7, Elmander 6.