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Immediate Reaction: Scunthorpe United 1-0 Bolton Wanderers

Wanderers stutter at Scunthorpe

Bolton v Everton U23 - EFL Checkatrade Trophy Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

Bolton Wanderers failed to make it six away wins in a row, losing 1-0 to promotion chasers Scunthorpe United.

The first half was a frustrating one for Wanderers. Just ten minutes in, The Trotters were duly punished for a sluggish start when David Mirfin headed in Josh Morris' free kick to gift Scunthorpe the lead.

Wanderers would grow into the half, but it was a story of missed chances. Scunthorpe literally had one shot and scored, where as Bolton had six and failed to even hit one on target. Filipe Morais was trying his best to get another assist, but couldn't make the difference with his seven corners throughout the half.

Conor Wilkinson, given the start ahead of Chris Long and Max Clayton, missed two glorious opportunities to equalise for Wanderers. First, he fired wide from eight yards after being set up by Adam Le Fondre. Then, he couldn't get enough on a header from Morais' corner near the end of the first half.

Almost immediately into the second half, Scunthorpe almost doubled the lead. Luckily, substitute Neal Bishop had his effort deflected onto the post.

Just after the hour mark, James Henry and Max Clayton were brought on in place of Conor Wilkinson and Darren Pratley. Henry would make an impact, forcing a smart save out of Scunthorpe goalkeeper Joe Anyon.

Clayton would also have a chance to equalise, and was unlucky not to get it. Morais, whose deliveries had been below par for his standards, found Clayton but again Anyon was hand to deny the striker.

Despite the best efforts of the Wanderers players, having had fifteen shots and thirteen corners, the game would end 1-0.

Fleetwood's defeat to Oldham means Wanderers still have a seven point buffer in the automatic places. With four games to go, second place is still ours to lose.

Next up for Bolton is a trip to face Oldham.