WANDERERS relegated Port Vale with a win that rarely looked in doubt – but their chances of automatic promotion have been virtually extinguished thanks to results elsewhere.

Derby County held on for a 1-0 win at Cambridge United, ensuring they keep a three-point gap going into the final game of the season.

For Bolton to overturn it now they would need the Rams to lose against already-relegated Carlisle United at home and manage a four-goal swing on goal difference.

Aaron Collins and Cameron Jerome did the damage against Vale, whose two-year stay in League One finished with a whimper.

For a long time it looked like the decisive goal would not come, Bolton striking the woodwork on three occasions and struggling to turn their domination of the game into a lead.

But two goals in the final 20 minutes confirmed a deserved victory – the Whites’ 25th of the season – and at least means Derby have to get a result on the final weekend to rubber stamp their promotion to the Championship.

Wanderers made five changes to the side that had drawn against Shrewsbury, Caleb Taylor returning to the starting line-up for the first time since February in place of Jack Iredale.

Gethin Jones came in for Will Forrester, Josh Sheehan replaced Kyle Dempsey and Dion Charles made his long-awaited return, starting his first game since injuring his knee two months ago.

Randell Williams also replaced Nat Ogbeta minutes before kick-off, with the on-loan Swansea defender limping off during the warm-up.

The first half was a familiar tale of dominating possession, territory and chances, but with nothing to show for it as the players jogged back off the pitch.

Wanderers had 13 shots at goal in the first 45 minutes, three of which were on target, and had the ball for just over 70 per cent of that time.

Referee Charles Breakspear ruled out the one effort that did hit the back of the net – a lob from Williams – having somehow tripped Vale number 14 Funso Ojo on the edge of the penalty box.

It was certainly not the only baffling moment of an odd half of football.

Vale keeper Connor Ripley made a string a decent saves to keep Bolton at bay but nearly made a hash of Josh Sheehan’s attempt from distance, a rebound then bouncing off Dion Charles, against the base of the post, then being turned back against the woodwork by Aaron Collins.

Derby scored several minutes before half time, news of which crept around the stadium and dampened what had already been a fairly distracted home crowd. Vale’s band of away fans had already had plenty of time to digest news that Burton were ahead, and their own survival effort was looking grim.

Another big chance went begging at the start of the second half, Gethin Jones pulling a ball back for Collins whose flick found George Thomason who couldn’t beat the keeper.

Vale’s goal continued to lead a charmed life past the hour mark when Williams cut in off the left and curled another shot which flicked off the crossbar to a chorus of groans.

The wastefulness nearly came back to bite Bolton in the behind when Ethan Chislett steered a shot just wide of the post. The frustration showed a few moments later when Paris Maghoma got in a pushing contest with sub Baylee Dipepa, which earned him a yellow card.

The incident served as a circuit-breaker for the Whites, however, and shortly afterwards they finally found the goal their earlier pressure had warranted.

Collins was the provider, teed up by Williams on the left, the Welshman cut into the penalty box and blasted a right-footed effort past Ripley from 12 yards.

Charles should have followed him on to the scoresheet, prodding a shot wide from close range after Maghoma had pulled his cross back from the byline.

Perhaps it was that the game had been so one-sided for so long but Wanderers rather over-relaxed at that stage, Nathan Baxter making important saves to deny Tom Sang and Nathan Smith within a couple of minutes of each other.

Wanderers had an appeal for a penalty turned down when Randell Williams’ cross appeared to strike the arm of Jesse Debrah and with the hope of Cambridge doing Bolton a favour diminishing, Vale nearly caught them off guard again when Chislett drove into the penalty box on a counter-attack but could not find the killer touch.

With all eyes on the score at the Abbey Stadium the game threatened to peter out completely until a stoppage time break from Williams, Maghoma then standing a cross up for Cameron Jerome to head home at the far post.

Vale’s players fell to their knees on the final whistle, their season having fallen to pieces after a bright start. Wanderers march on to Peterborough with the feintest glimmer of hope and a win under their belts.