WANDERERS have progressed to the Development League final thanks to a 3-1 victory against Charlton Athletic at the Macron.

David Lee’s side were deserved winners, booking a meeting with Nottingham Forest thanks to goals from Jeff King, Dennis Politic and Liam Edwards.

The final will be played at Forest’s City Ground, most likely on Friday, although official conformation will be made by the Premier League tomorrow.

Wanderers were impressive from the off, with Liam Edwards going close in the first few minutes when he connected with Cole Lonsdale’s corner.

Ashley Maynard-Brewer in the Charlton goal had to be alert to grab a left-footed effort from Jack Earing and then tip away a Jeff King header.

It was only a matter of time before the pressure paid off, and after some quick one-touch football through midfield, Ryan White went in on goal. His shot cannoned back off the pitch but Jeff King reacted well to stretch out and divert the ball back into the net.

Bolton did not sit back on their lead and White – impressive throughout the half – was unlucky to see a shot deflect up off Ben Dempsey and over the Charlton bar.

Connor Hall, so often the goal-scorer this season, was doing most of his work as a provider and a far-post header presented a chance for Adam Mitchell which the New Zealand defender just failed to covert.

The young Whites did get their reward for staying positive, however, and when Dennis Politic pounced on a heavy touch from Dan Bowry, the winger surged into the penalty box and drove an unstoppable angled drive into the top corner.

Wanderers carried on where they left off after the break, Hall racing past Bowry and driving a left-footed shot from the angle which was pushed aside by the keeper.

Charlton’s first shot in anger came after 52 minutes when Taylor Maloney’s effort from the edge of the box deflected just wide.

It also signalled the first real spell of pressure, leading to substitute Reeco Hackett-Fairchild bringing the Addicks back into the game as he buried Josh Umerah’s cross.

Wanderers nearly hit back right away through Hall, who did well to divert Morris’s right-wing cross goal-wards. And the striker also had a shout for a penalty turned down when he was sent sprawling by Ryan Blumberg.

Just as the game teetered slightly in the balance, a fine cross from Cole Lonsdale picked out the head of captain Liam Edwards, and Bolton were three goals to the good.

Wanderers (4-4-1-1): Aspinall; Morris, Edwards, Mitchell, Lonsdale; Politic, Pritchard, Earing, White; King; Hall.

Subs: McKenna 78 (for Hall), Muscatt 80 (for Mitchell) Not used: Jones, Navarro, Jones-Griffiths.