Bolton bounced back from three games without victory as they narrowly beat Watford at the Reebok Stadium.

Matt Mills scored his first goal for the home side, powerfully heading in Chris Eagles's corner.

The former Manchester United winger was the provider once again, setting up Kevin Davies to score from close in.

Lloyd Doyley's cross evaded everyone, including goalkeeper Adam Bogdan, to ensure a tense finish but the home side held on for victory.

Bolton were expected to be among the pack chasing promotion back to the Premier League after relegation last season, but Owen Coyle's side have made a stuttering start to life in the second tier and this was only their second win from five games.

Watford boss Gianfranco Zola has installed Manuel Almunia as goalkeeper and the Spaniard impressed early on, saving brilliantly from Marcos Alonso's header.

However, the former Arsenal stopper could not keep out Mills's thumping header, despite getting a hand to the ball.

Almunia was involved once again, stifling an effort from David Ngog, but was powerless to stopping Bolton's second as the superb Eagles, who caused the Watford back line problems all afternoon, gave striker Davies an easy finish.

The travelling fans were given hope when Doyley's cross somehow ended up in the back of the net and Nyron Nosworthy could have equalised but headed off target.

A late header from Bolton captain Davies could have restored the two-goal advantage, but the hosts still secured all three points.

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (5)

Bolton Wanderers

  • 01 Bogdan
  • 02 Mears Booked
  • 03 Alonso
  • 04 Mills
  • 12 Knight
  • 07 Eagles
  • 08 Andrews (Pratley - 66' )
  • 16 M Davies
  • 20 Spearing
  • 09 Ngog (Afobe - 59' Booked )
  • 14 K Davies

Substitutes

  • 24 Lonergan
  • 18 Ricketts
  • 10 Petrov
  • 21 Pratley
  • 27 Lee
  • 17 Afobe
  • 19 Sordell

Watford

  • 01 Almunia
  • 05 Neuton
  • 12 Doyley Booked
  • 18 Pudil Booked
  • 33 Nosworthy
  • 07 Yeates (Beleck - 88' )
  • 08 Hogg
  • 16 Murray (Forestieri - 67' )
  • 22 Abdi (Smith - 80' )
  • 10 Iwelumo
  • 20 Vydra

Substitutes

  • 30 Bond
  • 27 Cassetti
  • 39 Chalobah
  • 40 Ekstrand
  • 28 Smith
  • 13 Beleck
  • 41 Forestieri
Ref: Ilderton
Att: 16,608

Match Stats

Shots

15 10

On target

7 4

Corners

6 10

Fouls

14 17

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:06 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

90:00 +3:48

The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by Manuel Almunia.

90:00 +2:09

Matej Vydra challenges Jay Spearing unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Chris Eagles.

90:00 +1:49

Unfair challenge on Matej Vydra by Darren Pratley results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Matej Vydra.

90:00 +1:10

Kevin Davies is caught offside. Manuel Almunia restarts play with the free kick.

90:00 +0:15

Fernando Forestieri takes the direct free kick.

90:00 +0:15 Booking

Booking Caution for Tyrone Mears.

90:00 +0:14

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Matej Vydra by Tyrone Mears.

89:09

Jay Spearing gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Fernando Forestieri. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Fernando Forestieri from left wing, Marcos Alonso makes a clearance.

88:23

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Fernando Forestieri by Benik Afobe. Free kick taken by Nyron Nosworthy.

87:22 Substitution

Substitution Steve Beleck joins the action as a substitute, replacing Mark Yeates.

86:49

Corner taken right-footed by Chris Eagles, clearance by Nyron Nosworthy.

86:36

Unfair challenge on Benik Afobe by Jonathan Hogg results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jay Spearing.

85:33

The ball is delivered by Piccoli Neuton, Jay Spearing gets a block in.

84:38

Corner taken by Mark Yeates, Darren Pratley makes a clearance.

82:02 Booking

Booking Daniel Pudil booked.

81:45

Chris Iwelumo challenges Matt Mills unfairly and gives away a free kick. Adam Bogdan takes the free kick.

79:37 Substitution

Substitution Connor Smith joins the action as a substitute, replacing Almen Abdi.

78:05

Kevin Davies takes a shot. Manuel Almunia makes a save.

72:37 Booking

Booking Benik Afobe is booked.

72:29

The assistant referee signals for offside against Benik Afobe. Manuel Almunia takes the free kick.

70:32

Chris Eagles has shot on goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

69:39

The offside flag is raised against Darren Pratley. Manuel Almunia takes the free kick.

69:16

Free kick awarded for a foul by Almen Abdi on Darren Pratley. Jay Spearing takes the direct free kick.

68:42

Unfair challenge on Daniel Pudil by Tyrone Mears results in a free kick. Mark Yeates takes the free kick.

67:25

Effort from inside the area by Mark Davies misses to the right of the target.

66:39

Free kick taken by Tyrone Mears.

66:39 Substitution

Substitution Fernando Forestieri comes on in place of Sean Murray.

66:39

Jonathan Hogg challenges Kevin Davies unfairly and gives away a free kick.

65:37 Substitution

Substitution (Bolton) makes a substitution, with Darren Pratley coming on for Keith Andrews.

65:15

Headed effort from deep inside the area by Nyron Nosworthy misses to the left of the goal.

64:43

Daniel Pudil takes the inswinging corner, Zat Knight makes a clearance.

63:00

Short corner taken by Daniel Pudil from the right by-line.

62:22

Corner taken by Sean Murray, save made by Adam Bogdan.

59:33

Jonathan Hogg challenges Mark Davies unfairly and gives away a free kick. Chris Eagles sends in a cross, Kevin Davies produces a header from close range which goes wide of the left-hand upright.

57:06 Substitution

Substitution Benik Afobe replaces David Ngog.

57:06 Goal scored

Goal - Lloyd Doyley - Bolton 2 - 1 Watford Lloyd Doyley finds the net with a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the top left corner of the goal. Bolton 2-1 Watford.

54:52

Shot from just outside the box by Daniel Pudil misses to the right of the goal.

54:06

Matej Vydra takes a shot. Adam Bogdan makes a save.

52:46

Free kick awarded for a foul by Jay Spearing on Matej Vydra. Piccoli Neuton takes the free kick.

52:26

Chris Eagles takes a inswinging corner.

52:09

Kevin Davies takes a shot. Blocked by Nyron Nosworthy.

50:49

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Sean Murray, Adam Bogdan makes a save.

49:40

Corner taken by Sean Murray.

46:42

Mark Yeates takes the inswinging corner, Kevin Davies makes a clearance.

45:31

Tyrone Mears gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Almen Abdi. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Mark Yeates, save made by Adam Bogdan.

45:01

The second half begins.

45:00 +2:07 Half time

Half Time The referee calls an end to the first half.

44:51

Mark Yeates takes a shot.

44:26

The offside flag is raised against Chris Eagles. Manuel Almunia takes the free kick.

43:28

The ball is sent over by Daniel Pudil.

42:55

Chris Iwelumo fouled by Matt Mills, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Daniel Pudil.

41:58

Assist by Chris Eagles.

41:58 Goal scored

Goal - Kevin Davies - Bolton 2 - 0 Watford A goal is scored by Kevin Davies from inside the six-yard box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Bolton 2-0 Watford.

41:10

Free kick awarded for a foul by Daniel Pudil on David Ngog. Centre by Chris Eagles,

40:29

Almen Abdi has an effort from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.

38:41

Almen Abdi challenges Keith Andrews unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jay Spearing takes the direct free kick.

37:54

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Ngog by Almen Abdi. Jay Spearing restarts play with the free kick.

36:28

Mark Yeates takes a inswinging corner to the near post, David Ngog manages to make a clearance.

36:18

Almen Abdi delivers the ball, Matt Mills gets a block in.

34:51

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Chris Eagles from the right by-line, Kevin Davies produces a header from inside the area that goes over the bar.

34:40

Jay Spearing takes a shot. Piccoli Neuton gets a block in.

34:20

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Ngog by Daniel Pudil. Free kick taken by Keith Andrews.

32:44

Marcos Alonso has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide right of the goal.

31:55

Corner taken left-footed by Sean Murray from the right by-line, Nyron Nosworthy takes a shot. Clearance by Matt Mills.

31:42

Matej Vydra crosses the ball, Marcos Alonso manages to make a clearance.

31:09

Foul by Kevin Davies on Manuel Almunia, free kick awarded. Manuel Almunia restarts play with the free kick.

30:38

Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Chris Eagles from the right by-line, Piccoli Neuton makes a clearance.

30:20

David Ngog takes a shot. Save by Manuel Almunia.

30:02

Chris Iwelumo is penalised for handball and concedes a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Matt Mills.

28:52

Corner taken right-footed by Mark Yeates from the left by-line, Centre by Almen Abdi, clearance made by Matt Mills.

28:43

Sean Murray delivers the ball, Matt Mills manages to make a clearance.

28:03

The assistant referee flags for offside against Kevin Davies. Indirect free kick taken by Manuel Almunia.

25:09

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kevin Davies on Piccoli Neuton. Nyron Nosworthy takes the free kick.

24:05

Nyron Nosworthy gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Ngog. Free kick crossed by Chris Eagles, clearance made by Daniel Pudil.

23:25

Free kick awarded for a foul by Matej Vydra on Jay Spearing. Direct free kick taken by Adam Bogdan.

22:19

Tyrone Mears gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Mark Yeates. Direct free kick taken by Piccoli Neuton.

19:07

David Ngog fouled by Jonathan Hogg, the ref awards a free kick. Chris Eagles has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.

18:14

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Sean Murray by Tyrone Mears. Piccoli Neuton takes the direct free kick.

16:09

Daniel Pudil concedes a free kick for a foul on Tyrone Mears. Free kick taken by Tyrone Mears.

15:26

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Ngog by Daniel Pudil. Chris Eagles restarts play with the free kick.

14:54

David Ngog is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Daniel Pudil.

13:49

Almen Abdi has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses left.

12:38

Mark Yeates takes a shot. Save made by Adam Bogdan.

12:01

Keith Andrews produces a right-footed shot from long range which goes wide right of the goal.

9:35

Keith Andrews produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the net.

9:03

Piccoli Neuton has an effort at goal from long range that misses to the right of the target.

8:28

Mark Davies gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Daniel Pudil. Free kick crossed by Mark Yeates, clearance by Mark Davies.

6:52

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Jay Spearing by Matej Vydra. Adam Bogdan takes the free kick.

5:53 Booking

Booking Lloyd Doyley goes into the book for dissent.

2:53

The assist for the goal came from Chris Eagles.

2:53 Goal scored

Goal - Matt Mills - Bolton 1 - 0 Watford Matt Mills finds the back of the net with a headed goal from inside the penalty area. Bolton 1-0 Watford.

2:31

Corner taken right-footed by Chris Eagles from the right by-line,

1:30

Unfair challenge on Mark Davies by Daniel Pudil results in a free kick. Free kick crossed by Chris Eagles, free kick awarded for a foul by Kevin Davies on Manuel Almunia. Direct free kick taken by Manuel Almunia.

0:30

Chris Eagles takes the outswinging corner, David Ngog takes a shot. Save by Manuel Almunia.

0:00

The ref blows the whistle to begin the match.

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