Bolton Wanderers record hard-fought 1-0 win at Exeter City

Conor Bradley got the decisive goal during the first half, tucking home after a lovely assist by Josh Sheehan.

The Whites were under the cosh for large spells of the second half but managed to keep the hosts at bay thanks to a gutsy defensive display.

Wanderers headed to Devon hoping to build on the joyful scenes at Wembley last weekend in the Papa Johns Trophy.

But they knew it would not be easy against an Exeter side who had won their last four matches at home, including a victory against 3-1 promotion contenders Barnsley.

Ian Evatt was forced into a couple of changes, with George Johnston and Luke Mbete coming into the backline for Ricardo Santos and Eoin Toal, who were both sidelined by injury.

Gethin Jones wore the captain’s armband in Santos’ absence, with Johnston slotting into the middle of the back three.

Former Bolton defender Will Aimson captained the Grecians, having been a regular starter for the Devon club since his move in the January window.

The game began at a frantic pace, with Wanderers pressing high and aiming to ask plenty of questions of the Exeter defence. The hosts also looked dangerous, with Sam Nombe looking to get in behind at every opportunity.

Elias Kachunga and Kyle Dempsey, who played key roles against Plymouth last weekend, both managed to get into decent areas on the right but couldn’t pick out a team-mate in the box.

Archie Collins also got into a dangerous position during the opening stages following a lovely pass from Kevin McDonald, but the Whites eventually managed to clear the danger.

Exeter spurned a big chance to open the scoring after just five minutes, with Alex Hartridge sending a header wide of the post after getting on the end of an inviting corner.

Collins also tried his luck but failed to hit the target from a tight angle after getting goal side of Mbete, who made his eighth Bolton appearance since joining on loan from Manchester City.

At the other end, Aaron Morley’s corner found Gethin Jones at the near post but his flick-on evaded everybody.

The Grecians continued to cause problems with their crossing, with James Scott inches away from meeting Jack Sparkes’ delivery midway through the first half.

But Wanderers remained patient in possession and began to take control of the game. They went in front after 26 minutes when Bradley raced onto Sheehan’s clever through ball and kept his cool to slot past Jamal Blackman.

Ironically, it was the Northern Irish international’s first goal since the 2-0 win against Exeter at the UniBol earlier in the season.

Exeter thought they had managed to get back on level terms minutes later when Aimson bundled home from close range against his former club. However, the defender was judged to have used his arm by referee Craig Hicks.

The Whites’ had another big let-off minutes before the break when Nombe had James Trafford beaten with a thumping header, only to see the ball cannon off the crossbar before Johnston made a vital clearance in front of goal.

Charles could have doubled Wanderers’ lead on the stroke of half time after Dempsey won the ball back high up the pitch, but the forward could only send a low drive straight at Blackman on his weaker foot.

Evatt made a change at the break, with Randell Williams replacing Declan John at left wing-back. It was a familiar setting for Williams, who made more than 80 appearances during a two-and-a-half-year spell with the Grecians.

Exeter came out with a point to prove after the break and the Whites had to deal with a barrage of crosses into the box. The host were perhaps hoping to take advantage of Santos’ absence at the heart of defence.

Trafford was forced to make a decent stop at his near post to deny the Nombe, who continued to look lively in the final third.

McDonald also sent an effort over the bar but the whistle had already gone for a foul on Johnston, who found himself in the thick of the action on his first start since the end of January after recovering from injury.

Hartridge again threatened from a set-piece but couldn’t keep his header down after getting up well at the far post.

Sparkes also went for goal after beating his man with a nice bit of skill on the edge of the box, but his strike was fairly straightforward for Trafford to deal with.

Despite the hosts’ pressure, Wanderers nearly doubled their attack after a well worked counter attack. Morley and Charles combined to play in Williams, whose goal-bound strike was somehow kept out by Harry Kite’s heroic block.

Evatt turned to the bench in an effort to seize back control, with Charles and Kachunga making way for Victor Adeboyejo and Dan Nlundulu. The pair were both cup-tied for the trip to Wembley and were keen to make their mark in the league.

Wanderers had another close call when Pierce Sweeney’s first-time effort was deflected narrowly wide of the post.

Then came one of the major talking points, with Nombe going down in the box under Trafford’s challenge. Referee Hicks was satisfied the Bolton goalkeeper had got a touch on the ball.

Evatt opted to make another double change, with Morley and Dempsey making way for MJ Williams and George Thomason to provide an injection of energy in the middle of the pitch.

Adeboyejo had a sight at goal 15 minutes from time, but the tenacious forward failed to test Blackman from a tight angle.

Thomason then stayed down after an altercation with Sweeney near the touchline, but it was the Bolton man who went into the book to the frustration of the away end.

The midfielder nearly managed to get on the scoresheet moments later after getting on the end of Williams’ clever cut-back. His shot had Blackman scrambling to his left but crept wide of the post.

But the Whites managed to survive a nervy ending to secure an important three points on the road and boost their chances of making the top six.