MARK Beevers reckons Wanderers are starting to strike fear into League One opponents with every set piece.

Phil Parkinson’s side has profited from corners, free-kicks and long throws all season but have been especially potent in a five-game winning streak which continued at Shrewsbury on Saturday.

The big defender has been one of the chief recipients, scoring in four consecutive away games – a feat last achieved for the Whites by ex-England striker Michael Ricketts in December 2001.

With big men like David Wheater, who has bagged seven goals this season, Darren Pratley and Gary Madine for company and Filipe Morais enjoying a purple patch of assists, Beevers admits Wanderers are starting to warrant their fearsome reputation.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if teams are fearing us because we seem to score from a set-piece in every game,” he told The Bolton News.

“We’ve got big players in our team so when they’re looking at us in the tunnel before games they must be thinking ‘wow, they’re going to be a threat in the box.

“We practise them on the training ground week in, week out, and it can get a bit repetitive but this is the reason why we do it.”

Morais created two more goals at Greenhous Meadow – launching the long throw flicked into the net by Beevers in the 51st minute and then crossing for Adam Le Fondre to score the second.

“It’s incredible what he’s done since he’s come in,” Beevers said of his team-mate. “The big lads just need some ‘buffet balls’ and he’s been putting them in there.”

Beevers now has six for the season, surpassing his previous best, last season at Millwall.

“It’s nice on a personal note. I just keep getting myself up there and I’m confident I’m going to score every time,” he said. “I don’t want to stop there, I want to score a few more if I can.

“I’ve got four in five now and I’d like to get five in six if possible.”

Victory over Shrewsbury coupled with Sheffield United’s draw at Oldham means Wanderers have narrowed the gap at the top to four points.

Beevers’ primary concern is extending the gap to Fleetwood in third and ensuring automatic promotion is protected..

“It would be nice to get that top spot and go up as champions but we’re taking nothing for granted,” he said.