WANDERERS’ second string were desperately unlucky to leave empty-handed after a fine display against a star-studded Manchester City side at Eastlands.

The Blues included four internationals in their starting line-up, including £18million Brazilian striker Jo, Dietmar Hamann, Michael Ball and Ecuadorian international Felipe Caicedo.

But teenage striker Javlon Campbell 50th-minute equaliser looked to have given Alan Cork’s young side a richly deserved share of the spoils in the Barclays Premier Reserve League North clash.

Bolton’s encouraging display, however, went unrewarded when Donal McDermott fired through a crowd of players with 15 minutes remaining to seal the points for second-placed City.

Wanderers, with captain Chris Basham outstanding at the back, restricted the home side to long-range efforts for most of the first period.

The Bolton defence was breached before half-time when the giant defender Clayton McDonald powered Adam Clayton’s corner past Wanderers goalkeeper Adam Bogdan for a 36th-minute opener.

But the visitors were level within five minutes of the restart. City keeper Tobias Johansen produced a brilliant double save to deny Robert Sissons then Campbell.

But, from the resulting corner, the 17-year-old forward struck after being given space to bring Michael Burns’ cross down on the edge of the six-yard box.

Cork’s youngsters continued to take the game to their more illustrious hosts, and Sissons’ header rebounded off the upright from Burns’ free-kick.

But it was City who sealed the points when McDermott grabbed a 75th-minute winner with a fine 25-yard strike.

Michael O’Halloran nearly earned Wanderers’ the point their efforts warranted late on, but the substitute fired into the side-netting with just minutes left. Manchester City: Johansen, Logan, M Ball, C McDonald, Berti, Hamann (Vidal 72), Clayton, Marshall, Caicedo, Jo (D Ball 58), McDermott. Subs not used: Mee, Hartley, Morris.

Wanderers: Bogdan, Sinclair, Carlisle, Sissons, Basham, Bennett (S McDonald 79), Burns, Sheridan (O’Halloran 83), Obadeyi, Campbell, Harsanyi. Subs not used: Brocklehurst, Mooy.