Wanderers defender Gethin Jones says it was an “emotional” day at Wembley for him and his family.

Jones scored the fourth goal, giving Plymouth goalkeeper Callum Burton no chance with a clinical header.

The defender dedicated the goal to his later mother and admits it was difficult not having her at the match.

Jones hailed chairman Sharon Brittan for the support she has given the family during an incredibly challenging period.

“We have been criticised in the past about our set pieces,” he said. “We do work hard on that stuff. Demps scored a set piece with the first goal. We changed it up in the second half and I managed to head it in. 

“When I scored I honestly didn’t know what to do. I was quite emotional. I had about 25 friends and family members here. My mum not being here has been very difficult.

“When that goal went in I burst into tears. Rico grabbed me and said, ‘go and celebrate with the fans.’ I honestly didn’t know what to do.

“But I am made up with the goal and of course it is for my mum. All my family were emotional afterwards.

“I can’t thank Sharon and the club enough. When I went up with Rico to lift the trophy, Sharon was crying with me. She has been with me every single minute of the way. She has been so supportive.

“My mum became very close to Sharon, she came to the family home in Wales a few times to see us. She is unbelievable.”

Attention now turns to Friday’s trip to Exeter and Ian Evatt’s men will be aiming to consolidate their place in the top six.

Jones hopes they can build on their Wembley momentum and finish the season strongly as they aim to push for promotion.

“The game could have gone either way. Had we lost, the most important thing would have been to bounce back quickly,” he added.

“Our main objective is getting that promotion. To come here and play Plymouth off the park is going to spread confidence throughout the squad.

“And we can take this into the last eight games. No excuses. The manager has got a great winning mentality and it is engrained in the lads.

“It is something we work on every day with little competitions in training. You just want to win anything.”

Around 34,000 Bolton supporters made the journey to the capital to watch their side lift the trophy.

“It just shows the club is on the way back,” said Jones. “Credit to Plymouth fans, they came out in their numbers as well.

“We kept them quiet in the first 10 to 15 minutes. Our plan was to start fast and we did that. We will have a little celebration but there is a big game coming up at Exeter.”