WANDERERS’ Under-18s missed out on the chance to win the Professional Development League North title after a tight deciding game against Leeds United.

Nicky Spooner’s side had topped the table for eight weeks but must now regroup to focus on a play-off semi-final against Crystal Palace, which will most likely be played on Friday.

Kun Temenuzkhov scored the decisive goal for the Yorkshiremen – which came just 10 minutes after a linesman had controversially over-ruled a penalty awarded to Wanderers for a foul on Jordan Boon.

Wanderers had chances, one of which came immediately after the restart when Luca Connell’s mazy run past three players ended with a shot straight at the keeper.

The young Whites worked hard in the second half and controlled possession but their only opportunities to level the scores came from distance.

Leeds face Charlton in the other semi-final, with Wanderers facing an away trip to Palace – with whom they have already shared a 0-0 draw this season.

“We were very unlucky,” Spooner told The Bolton News. “To have put eight wins and a draw together in our last game and then stumble at the final hurdle is disappointing but the lads have been absolutely brilliant, and we’ll go again at Palace.

“Seeing the penalty over-ruled was tough but it might just be a good thing because that was a proper game. It’s the best one I have been involved in for a while.

“It meant something, we had a trophy riding on it, and now the lads have got that under their belts.

“Youth team football is fine when we are talking about nurturing and developing talent but sometimes you need to experience that bit of extra pressure. And I know my players will benefit from it.”