WANDERERS hauled themselves back into the top two with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Bury.

Chief football writer Marc Iles gives his player-by-player verdict from Gigg Lane.

HOW THEY RATED

WANDERERS (4-3-3)

MARK HOWARD…7 Made a couple of fairly routine saves and showed some great awareness to release Zach Clough for the opening penalty.

LAWRIE WILSON…7 Continues to play with a smile on his face. In the most consistent form of his Bolton career at the moment.

DAVID WHEATER…7.5 Wasn’t put under the same pressure he was at Millwall last week but the big defender seems to revel in this sort of occasion. The fans responded in kind, too.

MARK BEEVERS…7.5 Wanderers’ Mr Consistent produced another very steady display. Like Wheater, managed to get through the game in third gear because of the defensive work in front of him.

ANDY TAYLOR…7 Enjoyed the big derby atmosphere and produced his best display for Wanderers since coming to the club.

DERIK OSEDE…7.5 Looked a little unsteady early on and didn’t get involved but upped his game considerably in the second half and barely put a foot wrong.

JAY SPEARING…8 Picked up a knock with 20 minutes to go – but even Phil Parkinson admitted he couldn’t have dragged his midfielder off the pitch. Outstanding.

JOSH VELA…7 Produced a couple of classy moments on the ball. Enjoying his football at the moment and links up so well with Clough.

SAMMY AMEOBI…7 Maybe not in the game as much as Parkinson would have liked – but he went on a couple of dazzling runs and could have scored. His work-rate for the team has improved dramatically too.

GARY MADINE…7.5 Talk about work-rate. Ran every blade of grass at Gigg Lane and though he didn’t get much of a sniff at goal, the Wanderers fans appreciated his efforts.

ZACH CLOUGH…8.5 Mr Cool. Ann oasis of calm from the penalty spot – but Clough also contributed plenty outside the box and is learning the defensive arts too.

Subs: Proctor 76 (for Madine), Henry 77 (for Clough), C Taylor 85 (for Ameobi) Not used: Buxton, Anderson, Alnwick, Perry.

Referee: Geoff Eltringham

Attendance: 8,007 (3,141)