PHIL Parkinson could not hide his delight as Wanderers passed their Millwall test with flying colours.

Goals from Sammy Ameobi and David Wheater helped the Whites to a fourth successive victory, enabling them to close the gap on top two Bradford City and Scunthorpe United.

Parkinson had warned his side they would face a stiff test, mentally and physically at The Den, and so it proved.

But though Wanderers had to absorb plenty of pressure either side of half time – they held on for a fourth away win of the campaign, which matches their total haul for the previous TWO seasons.

“I said to the lads that it was a benchmark game,” he told The Bolton News. “This is the place, Millwall away, where you have to stand up and be counted.

“It was exactly what we expected the game to be like. You have to deal with their style of play, the direct balls up to the two front men, the crowd appealing for about eight penalties.

“I thought after the goal we switched off a bit. We started to play short, square passes and invited a bit of pressure on to us.

“They got in the ascendancy for a period but this was a real, good performance and it was solid right throughout the team.”

Parkinson also gave praise to his two goalscorers, Ameobi and Wheater, who produced stunning finishes to seal three points.

“I was in two minds whether to start Sammy because he cramped up on Saturday but in training he looked really bright and positive. It was a fantastic goal.

“Big David Wheater produced a fantastic finish. He’s been so close in every single game. Go through our set plays, he’s been involved, had keepers making saves, had Keshi Anderson block one on the line. So many near ones, so you could feel it was coming.

“I was pleased for the big man because he’s been an absolute colossus along with Mark Beevers.”