PHIL Parkinson told his players to go and enjoy their Christmas party – because they earned it.

After beating League One rivals Sheffield United in a five-goal thriller to clinch a place in the FA Cup third round, the Wanderers squad high-tailed it out of the Macron to begin some festive frivolity.

“I don’t like having a day off unless I feel I have really earned it, and on this occasion I think the lads can go and enjoy it,” he said.

“We can have a little break, go out tomorrow and do some Christmas shopping, get a few things sorted, watch the draw and know we have worked really hard to be in the hat for the next round.”

Parkinson thanked his local boys for providing the driving force behind yesterday’s victory.

Man of the match Josh Vela and Zach Clough were in fine form as the Blades struggled to cut through Wanderers for more than an hour.

And though Chris Wilder’s side gave themselves a fighting chance with two goals in the last 25 minutes, the Wanderers boss was in no doubt who had been the stars of the show.

“If I was a Bolton Wanderers fan driving away from this game I’d be pretty happy tonight,” he told The Bolton News. “To see two lads who have come all the way through the ranks control a game like that was really pleasing.

“We should have been further ahead and David Wheater’s shot in the second half crossed the line. I could see it, I don’t know why the officials didn’t. Maybe if we’d have lost the game I would have moaned more about that one.

“But Josh and Zach were excellent today, they really were.”

Asked who he wanted in the next round, Parkinson said: “I’d like to see one of the top clubs come here so we can really test ourselves.

“The chairman has just said he wants Manchester United at home, take a draw and then beat them in the replay – so he doesn’t want much,” he added.