THE 'L' plates are still on, but Wanderers have already learned a lot about what it takes to mount a European campaign.

They are still the new kids on the block but, on the field and off it, they gained valuable experience in overcoming the unexpectedly strong challenge of the Bulgarians, Lokomotiv Plovdiv.

In fact, they could hardly have had a more searching first test of their UEFA Cup credentials.

Plovdiv were no pushovers and Wanderers can count themselves fortunate to have qualified for the group stages. Lucky, maybe, but they were certainly flattered by the 4-2 aggregate scoreline, considering the way things panned out.

But they got through and will be all the better for the experience, even though the format now changes for the group phase.

No home and away legs to negotiate, just four one-off games at home to Zenit St Petersburg and Sevilla and away to Beskitas and Guimaraes that will determine whether they progress to the knockout stage.

That is when Sam Allardyce will hope the lessons learned in the Plovdiv tie will stand Wanderers in good stead.

"The most valuable lesson is what we've learned about defending in Europe," the Bolton boss said in the debriefing. "In the first instance's we must make sure, when we are at home, that we don't concede and, when we go away and we've got a lead to protect, we protect it in the right way and not sit back, like we did for most of the game in Burgas.

"We have to get on the front foot, when we can, and use our qualities. We didn't have many defenders out there because of the injuries, so we should have been more attack minded.

"I can't blame them for that but it's something we must learn from and, hopefully, do better next time."

With just 16 days between the draw and the first group game in Besiktas, Wanderers were not given much time to prepare for the trip to Turkey. But, after having had to deal with a Plovdiv club in administrative chaos following the the murder of its president, they do not expect the same logistical problems they encountered on their first European excursion.

Although delighted with the support Wanderers had in the Naftex Stadium, Allardyce believes many more would have travelled to Bulgaria, had Wanderers not received their ticket allocation just a week before the game.

"I know many didn't travel because of our tickets being delayed," he said. "People were reluctant to put planes on."

Secretary, Simon Marland, is confident things will go much smoother from now on.

"We're hoping the next one will be easier," he said. "Administratively we shouldn't have the same problems.

"Everyone's aware of what happened at the club (Plovdiv) with the president getting shot, so administratively they were not at their best. The people there, quite understandably, had things to worry about other than football.

"Even at the the game in Burgas, they were very thin on the ground. In fact we mostly dealt with the local club, Naftex, who were very helpful."

Despite the communication problems, Wanderers were delighted with the success of theisr first venture into Europe.

"We've not had an official figure but certainly there were over 2,000 of our fans out there which was a fantastic turn out," Marland added.

"We actually sold just over 1,700 and the rest was made up of people who were in Bulgaria and came to see us play.

"The main thing is that things went smoothly and there was no trouble. Everybody seems to have enjoyed themselves.

"Obviously it's a lot sweeter when you win.

"It gives us something to look forward to and gives us more confidence going into the next one.

"It takes us to another level. It's just great that we are involved in it."