WANDERERS (3-1-4-2).

NATHAN BAXTER…7.

More involved in the second half than he probably expected to be, coming up with a couple of important saves.

GETHIN JONES…6.5.

Took the shackles off a bit after half time and joined Dacres-Cogley in his regular raids down the right. Won his battles in a solid return to the team.

CALEB TAYLOR…7.

Impressive stuff from the young centre-back, who hadn’t started a game since Cambridge in February. Handled a couple of tough strikers well.

EOIN TOAL…6.5.

Saw plenty of the ball but didn’t let the pace of the game drop, which was encouraging. Got himself forward too and went close with one curling effort.

JOSH SHEEHAN…7.

Picked out as player of the year later in the day and rightly so, in open play he was effective once again in knitting together the midfield.

JOSH DACRES-COGLEY…6.5.

Always available, never stopped running and Iacovitti would have been glad to see the back of him. Can improve once he gets into the final third, though.

GEORGE THOMASON…6.5.

Had a couple of decent chances and always seemed to be in the thick of it. Had probably ran his race by the time Dempsey came on to replace him.

PARIS MAGHOMA…8.

For all Maghoma’s silky skills on the ball it was often his desire to win it back which caught the eye here. Showed a bit of spikiness when it was needed.

RANDELL WILLIAMS…7.

Called into action at the last possible moment and ended up being one of Bolton’s most effective players of the afternoon.

AARON COLLINS…7.5.

Brimming with confidence at the moment and willing to take on a shot from virtually anywhere. Great finish to get Wanderers on the scoresheet (at last).

DION CHARLES…6.5.

Fantastic to have him back in the starting line-up and the minutes will serve him well for the challenges ahead. Understandable rustiness but didn’t give Vale a second to think.

Subs: Dempsey 6, 70 (for Thomason) – Provided a real energy boost.

Nlundulu 80 (for Charles), Jerome 86 (for Collins), Morley 86 (for Sheehan).

Not used: Iredale, Coleman, Ashworth.

MAN OF THE MATCH – Paris Maghoma.

Won Wanderers’ young player of the year prize but playing with a real maturity at the moment. Looking like he could be a matchwinner every time he goes out on to the pitch.

MOAN OF THE MATCH – That it took Bolton so long to get the first goal. Had it come sooner we could have had a cricket score, and that could have made a difference on the final weekend of the season.

MAGIC MOMENT – Jon Dadi Bodvarsson – and his daughter – leading the thunderclap on the lap of appreciation.

Port Vale (3-4-1-2): Ripley; Debrah, Smith, Iacovitti; Sang, Walters, Ojo, Grant; Chislett; Garrity, Ikpeazu.

Subs: Shorrock 30 (for Grant), Loft 46 (for Ikpeazu), Dipepa 65 (for Walters), Weir 77 (for Iacovitti).

Not used: Lopata, Leutwiler, Massey.

Referee: Charles Breakspear 5/10 – Once again, time-wasting went unpunished in the first half. Breakspear had an erratic first half, capped off by a farcical disallowed goal.

Attendance: 22,311.