PHIL Parkinson saluted his “bravehearts” as Wanderers registered their best start to a season for 82 years with a win against Fleetwood Town.

After watching his side come from a goal down at half time, the Whites boss admitted he had been concerned that a fourth consecutive victory would be beyond his side after energy-sapping journeys to Wimbledon and Bristol Rovers.

But Parkinson was delighted to see Gary Madine and Josh Vela score in the second half to give Wanderers their first 100-per-cent record after four games since 1934.

“We had to be brave,” he told The Bolton News. “This season will be all about those different challenges being thrown our way.

“We wanted to come off the pitch at the end having shown some courage that we could go and play.

“Second half we were bright. The lads did exactly what we wanted them to do.

“That calmness when things don’t do your way is vital. You are not going to play great all the time and when you don’t, you need to respond.”

Parkinson told his players before kick off that they could create a “little bit of history” but conceded they were well below par in the first half as David Ball gave the visitors a 1-0 lead at the interval.

“This was the hardest game, for me,” he said. “We’d beaten Sheffield United at home and then had the two away games but there was always a little nagging feeling that this game should take care of itself.

“I was always more concerned with this one than any other for that reason.

“People perceive Fleetwood to be some small club but as I said before the game they have spent more money than a lot of clubs in this division and they have a good team.

“The most important thing I’m pleased about is character. You can have good players but you have to play when the pressure is on. That’s a good sign.

“First half we played well in patches but we gave the ball away in some dangerous areas and there was an edginess around the place. It’s understandable considering what has gone before.

“At that time we had to show bravery to go out and play in the second half. You don’t get it all your own way in football. You have to react to situations and I thought we did that very well.”