EFL pundit Dean Ashton reckons Wanderers should be taken “seriously” in the League One promotion race.

Ian Evatt’s men have won their last three matches following Saturday’s 1-0 victory against Cheltenham.

Kyle Dempsey got the decisive goal 10 minutes from time, finding the bottom corner with a pinpoint strike from outside the box.

The Whites have closed the gap to third-place Ipswich and currently have a nine-point cushion over seventh-place Peterborough, who they face this weekend.

Former West Ham striker Ashton was impressed with the way Wanderers “wore down” a stubborn Cheltenham defence.

Speaking as a pundit on the EFL highlights show, he said: “That’s four (wins) out of their last five and only two points off third.

“As they showed, they can wear teams down. It was a brilliant finish (from Dempsey) but it looked like they just couldn’t get out to close him down, Cheltenham, to try and keep Bolton at bay.

“Another team in good form.”

Evatt’s men have lost just one of their last 10 matches in the league, picking up 21 points out of a possible 30 despite being without the likes of George Thomason, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, George Johnston and Dan Nlundulu at times.

Only Derby and leaders Sheffield Wednesday can better Wanderers’ total in that time, having both gone unbeaten.

The Whites also have one of the tightest defences in the division, having conceded just 23 times in their 30 fixtures so far.

Moreover, no goalkeeper in the third tier has kept more clean sheets than Manchester City loanee James Trafford since the start of the campaign.

Social, subscriptions and getting in touch...

You can follow the Bolton News on social media by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

We also have dedicated Facebook groups on Crime & Court, Traffic & Travel, Nostalgia and our Camera Club page

If you want to make sure you don't miss the most important news stories every day, sign up to one of our free e-mail newsletters 

Gain unlimited access to the Bolton News website with a premium digital subscription

Finally, have you got a story for us? If so, contact us at newsdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk or by using our online contribution form