Match ends, Bolton Wanderers 1, Stevenage 0.
BoltonBolton Wanderers1StevenageStevenage0
Declan John's first goal in English football secured a 1-0 win over Stevenage as Bolton Wanderers finished with 10 men for a second successive game.
Welsh international John, who had not scored since netting for Rangers at Kilmarnock in December 2017, celebrated his first start for the Trotters by firing home from Oladapo Afolayan's pass after seven minutes.
Wanderers, up to 13th after starting the day in 19th, had Marcus Maddison dismissed in midweek against Morecambe but successfully overturned the midfielder's three-game ban.
This time fellow midfielder MJ Williams received his marching orders for a tackle on Tom Pett after 77 minutes; the fifth time in six games that referee Trevor Kettle has sent off a Bolton player.
Ian Evatt's team, now unbeaten in three games, conceded a late equaliser against the Shrimpers.
But this time they held out, as the goal from former Cardiff and Swansea player John proved the difference.
Stevenage, who remain 21st, six points clear off the drop zone, enjoyed plenty of late possession but did not trouble keeper Matt Gilks, whose only notable save came from Jack Aitchison after 10 minutes.
Report supplied by PA Media
Line-ups
Bolton
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 13Gilks
- 2Jones
- 5Almeida Santos
- 27Baptiste
- 28John
- 25ThomasonBooked at 85mins
- 4WilliamsBooked at 78mins
- 14MaddisonSubstituted forIsgroveat 64'minutes
- 7DelfounesoSubstituted forGnahouaat 60'minutes
- 30AfolayanSubstituted forTutteat 81'minutes
- 9Doyle
Substitutes
- 8Comley
- 18Tutte
- 20Miller
- 23Isgrove
- 24Gnahoua
- 31Elbouzedi
- 32Jackson
Stevenage
Formation 4-4-2
- 37Stockdale
- 2WildinSubstituted forHuttonat 76'minutes
- 15Vancooten
- 6Prosser
- 3Coker
- 17List
- 26Pett
- 40Lines
- 27AitchisonSubstituted forRolesat 86'minutes
- 11NewtonSubstituted forStevensat 57'minutes
- 36Norris
Substitutes
- 4Vincelot
- 5Cuthbert
- 12Hutton
- 13Johnson
- 23Smith
- 35Stevens
- 38Roles
- Referee:
- Trevor Kettle
Match Stats
Home TeamBoltonAway TeamStevenage
- Possession
- Home54%
- Away46%
- Shots
- Home10
- Away17
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away3
- Corners
- Home3
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Bolton Wanderers 1, Stevenage 0.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Luke Norris (Stevenage) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jack Roles with a cross.
Post update
Corner, Stevenage. Conceded by Declan John.
Post update
Attempt missed. Ben Coker (Stevenage) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right.
Post update
Attempt saved. Eoin Doyle (Bolton Wanderers) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Matthew Gilks.
Post update
Attempt missed. Luke Prosser (Stevenage) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Chris Lines with a cross following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Stevenage. Conceded by Declan John.
Post update
Corner, Stevenage. Conceded by Alex Baptiste.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Luke Norris (Stevenage) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Remeao Hutton.
Post update
Foul by Andrew Tutte (Bolton Wanderers).
Post update
Jack Roles (Stevenage) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Stevenage. Jack Roles replaces Jack Aitchison.
Post update
Offside, Stevenage. Elliott List tries a through ball, but Matt Stevens is caught offside.
Booking
George Thomason (Bolton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by George Thomason (Bolton Wanderers).
Post update
Tom Pett (Stevenage) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt saved. Luke Norris (Stevenage) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ben Coker with a cross.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Luke Norris (Stevenage) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Luke Prosser.
Substitution
Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. Andrew Tutte replaces Oladapo Afolayan.
