GEORGE Thomason fired a sparkling winner against the club which released him as a teenager to give Wanderers their sixth win on the spin in all competitions.

The midfielder – who left Bloomfield Road at 16 to play non-league football with Longridge Town – came back to haunt the Tangerines with a stunning second-half blast.

Blackpool, who had not won in Bolton since 1986, hit the woodwork in the first half through the lively Karamoko Dembele. Randell Williams did likewise for the Whites, who after a cautious start, fully deserved their three points.

Wanderers kept faith with the side that had beaten Shrewsbury in midweek, with confirmation before kick-off that Will Forrester had picked a training ground injury in the build up and would not play a part in the squad.

The first half proved quite an even affair, though Blackpool shaded the first half-hour by virtue of the fact they got closest to goal – Karamoko Dembele hitting the base of the post after a knock down from Jordan Rhodes.

A few of the visitors’ set pieces caused flutters of panic, defender Marvin Ekpiteka almost sneaked in at the far post when one dropped just over the head of Ricardo Santos.

Gradually, Bolton gained their poise, and Evatt will have felt more contented with the last 15 minutes, during which his side created a couple of decent chances.

Randell Williams curled a 25-yard free kick against the outside of the post and then brought a save out of Daniel Grimshaw moments later, which briefly presented a chance from close range for Charles.

Neither side could have claimed to be comfortable but Charles, who had been well-marshalled for most of the first half, got in a couple of promising positions at the very start of the second half that suggested he was getting into the game.

Thomason presented him with a great chance on 54 minutes, sliding a pass straight through the middle, but Grimshaw did well to rush out and make the block.

Victor Adeboyejo’s rather fruitless afternoon continued, however, with a skewed shot from the edge of the area after a promising break.

Blackpool’s first big chance of the second period came from a corner whipped in by Albie Morgan and headed just over the bar by defender Matt Pennington.

Almost immediately, Bolton broke down the left, Thomason swinging in a cross for Charles at the near post, but again Grimshaw blocked his effort.

Thomason then set another move forward on the left with Williams putting a marvellous ball in for Adeboyejo, who put everything barring the ball into the back of the net.

That proved his last action, and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson entered the game with 25 minutes to go with belief growing among the home fans that Wanderers could go on and claim all three points.

Blackpool certainly hadn’t given up – and Husband produced a dangerous cross from their left side which should have been turned in by CJ Hamilton.

Bolton were looking the bigger threat, however, and Paris Maghoma struck a fierce effort which climbed just over the crossbar with Grimshaw well beaten.

Bodvarsson’s work in possession was tidy from the moment he arrived on the pitch, and after he nearly connected with an acrobatic volley from Sheehan’s cross, he then laid on a ball for Thomason to strike a thunderous left-footed drive which nearly tore a hole in the Blackpool net.

The fast and furious football continued, and Evatt picked up a booking for protesting against a foul on Charles as Blackpool got back on the front foot and Hamilton went mightily close with a deflected effort after getting the wrong side of Williams.

Four minutes of stoppage time was played, for the majority, in Blackpool territory, as Bolton managed the game superbly in the latter stages.

Blackpool forced a corner with their last attack – but Santos produced a towering header to clear to ensure a sixth straight win in all competitions and one that keeps Bolton firmly in the automatic promotion chase.