WANDERERS’ crunch promotion clash was suspended and the players were taken off as supporters flooded on to the pitch before the Whites’ suffered last minute heartbreak in their chase for promotion.

A section of Bolton fans flooded on to the pitch following David Wheater’s second-half header during the 2-0 win over Port Vale.

A number of flares were also thrown as staff and police tried to get fans off the pitch.

The referee suspended the match for at least ten minutes and took the players off while the incident was dealt with.

A number of Port Vale fans also invaded the pitch. 

Bolton were set to secure promotion as they led 2-0 and Fleetwood were being held 2-2 by Gillingham but a stoppage time goal from the Whites’ promotion rival meant they will have to wait until next Sunday, when a point against Peterborough should be enough to seal a return to the Championship.

The behaviour of a minority of Bolton fans had threatened to ruin the day but for the most part the majority of the 4,000 plus travelling support were well behaved and supported the team vocally throughout the match. 

The thousands of fans soaked up the spring sunshine before the match as they gathered outside Vale Park with some also heading to pubs and bars around the ground.

Nine official coaches travelled down from the Macron to Port Vale with fans in an optimistic mood and good spirits for the day ahead.

Even before the match kicked off the fans were in good voice, cheering the players on as they warmed up and greeting them on to the pitch with a wall of noise.

With just under 9,000 fans in total inside Vale Park, Wanderers’ fans outnumbered fans of the home side.

After the fans spilled on to the pitch the referee was forced to take the players off the pitch while order was restored and the game was delayed for around 10 minutes. 

A large number of police officers stood in front of the fans following the pitch invasion. 

There was no repeat of any trouble at full-time as the fans loudly cheered the players off the pitch.