WANDERERS’ reserve side suffered a 2-0 defeat against an experienced Preston side in the Central League.

Bambo Diaby opened the scoring before Joe Rodwell-Grant added a second after the break.

Wanderers named a young side, with the first team playing at Burton in League One this evening.

Former Barnsley defender Diaby started for the visitors - his first appearance since joining the club after serving a two-year doping ban.

The first chance fell to Jay Fitzmartin, who failed to get a shot away after a good run by Arran Pettifer.

Luke Hutchinson then made a smart stop to deny Josh Seary at his near post at the other end.

Preston took the lead midway through the first half when Diaby nodded home from close range after the Whites had failed to deal with a corner.

Rodwell-Grant and Michael O’Neill then both had chances but neither managed to force Hutchinson into action.

Bolton grew into the game in the final 10 minutes of the first half and had a penalty appeal turned down when Mitch Henry’s shot appeared to strike a defender’s arm.

But the visitors were back on top early in the second half and nearly doubled their lead when Hutchinson made a fine stop to deny O’Neill low to his left.

Matthew Olosunde then sent an effort wide of the post before Seary failed to make the most of a dangerous attack down the right wing.

Rodwell-Grant added a second 25 minutes from time, slotting home from close range after holding off Lamine Toure in the box.

Olosunde was then denied by Hutchinson before Paul Huntington headed over after getting on the end of Seary’s inviting corner.

In the final stages, Lewis Leigh wasn’t far away with a curling free-kick from 20 yards before the Bolton stopper made another smart stop to deny O’Neill after Wanderers had played themselves into trouble.

Bolton: Hutchinson, Burgess (Frimpong 61), Conway, Halford, Toure, Tweedley, Henry (Shakespeare 74), Pettifer, Fitzmartin, Jones, Olawumi (Kamara 90).

Unused subs: Litherland

Preston: Hudson, Diaby (Wallbank), Slater, Leigh, Huntington, Mfuni (Best), Seary, Olosunde, Rodwell-Grant, O'Neill, Holland-Wilkinson (Mawene)

Unused subs: Lombard, Green

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