WANDERERS maintained their incredible record at Port Vale thanks to Dion Charles’s first half strike.

Bolton have not lost at Vale Park in 17 attempts, stretching back to 1988, and held on under some heavy second-half pressure to return to the top four.

Charles made the difference, atoning for a couple of early misses with a superbly taken goal a couple of minutes before half time.

But the win was all about Wanderers’ defensive resolve in the end, and they protected their penalty box under a barrage of set pieces and crosses in the latter stages.

Ian Evatt made three changes to the side that had put eight goals past Manchester United’s Under-21s in midweek and was without striker Victor Adeboyejo, who was injured in training on Friday.

New dad Josh Dacres-Cogley returned to the team, with Aaron Morley also starting his first league game since August, replacing the suspended George Thomason. Will Forrester also came in against his former club for Gethin Jones, serving the first of his three-game ban.

Wanderers completely dominated possession in the first half, with Vale seemingly content to sit in their own half and try to hit on the counter.

But it had been a frustrating afternoon up to the 43rd minute when Charles turned 40 yards out, capitalised on a slip from Lewis Cass, burying his seventh goal of the season past Connor Ripley.

The Northern Ireland international had missed a couple of good chances earlier in the half, twice pushing his shot wide after getting a clear look at Ripley’s goal.

Bolton had made a few presentable chances and Vale keeper Ripley also made a fine save to push away Morley’s shot on the half hour.

Almost immediately after Charles opened the scoring, Nathan Baxter also pulled off a marvellous save to deny Ben Garrity from close range, earning himself a serenade from the 3,000 travelling fans in the stand behind him.

Understandably, there was more urgency about Vale after the break. Nathan Baxter and his back line had to hold firm under much more pressure than they had experienced in the first 45 minutes, and it was they who sought to hit on the break.

That didn’t stop Bolton making chances, though, and after Ripley made another flying save to push aside Randell Williams’ powerful effort, Kyle Dempsey went close with another crashing shot.

Though Vale pushed hard for an equaliser, the football was scrappy and clear-cut chances few. Kofi Balmer headed inches wide following a corner and there were a few other scrambles and blocked shots – Baxter, Forrester, Toal and Iredale doing a sterling job in the swirling rain.

It may have been all hands the pump at the end – Cameron Jerome’s 95th minute penalty box clearance celebrated as loudly as anything on the day – but Bolton fully deserved their points and have shown, again, they have a gritty side when they want.