Wanderers Res 2, Man City Res 1: PAUL Warhurst began his latest comeback bid on Monday night, knowing it may have come too late to have a bearing on Wanderers' survival bid.

The talented but injury-prone defender has recovered from a calf injury - the latest setback in a season he readily admits has been the worst of his career - and was given a 45-minute runout in the reserves at Gigg Lane.

He helped the Wanderers' second string record only their second win of the season with Jonathan Walters and Jermaine Johnson getting the goals that beat Manchester City.

Whether he can make his mark in the 10 remaining first team games was an issue Sam Allardyce picked up on when he said: "Time is running out now in terms of games for Paul to be fit to make an influence."

Wanderers worked hard for their win with the decisive goals coming in a three-minute spell either side of half-time.

Stig Tofting and Kevin Nolan combined to set up Walters for his fourth goal of the season as Wanderers finished the first half strongly then Jermaine, a half-time substitute, linked with Walters to score an exquisite second.

Jeremy Bon was outstanding in the Bolton goal, pulling off two saves in as many minutes from Chris Shuker but City got their consolation through Gerard Wiekens.

French striker Pierre-Yves Andre missed a chance late on but Wanderers held on for a deserved win.

Wanderers: Bon, Hunt (Farrelly 59), Smith, Livesey, Barness (Warhurst h-t), Tofting, Akin (Johnson h-t), Nolan, Facey, Walters, Andre.