WANDERERS’ second-half display against Peterborough United shows they can measure up to the best teams in League One, says David Flitcroft.

Despite feeling fortunate to go in at half time just a goal down, the Bolton assistant boss believes his side showed enough quality later in the game at the Weston Homes Stadium to suggest they are still alive in the survival hunt.

Wanderers are 15 points from safety but have games in hand on some of their rivals around the bottom three.

Flitcroft believes the team will get stronger as the season progresses but must learn how to deal with the teams around them – with Southend United next up at the UniBol this weekend.

“We went toe-to-toe with Portsmouth, we did the same with Blackpool and Fleetwood,” he said.

“What we have got to do, especially when you are against sides at the bottom, is that we’re competing with all teams.

“We have shown the teams at the top we can match them and in January when we strengthen we will find out more about ourselves. We’ll build a side that is consistent.

“We are 100 per cent sure that with time, patience and a lot of effort we’ll build a Bolton team that will win games.

“It will come from solid recruitment, a strong foundation and a group of players who are willing to give everything they have got.”

Flitcroft praised the work ethic within the squad and insists the club will not give up their place in League One without a fight.

“It’s a squad which has come from a really difficult place but every day you see the work ethic, trying to compete with teams who are out there ahead of us,” he said.

“We have to make sure we stay supportive, stay positive and like I always say, during the tough times you find out who is truly behind what we are doing.

“We’re still fighting, no doubt about it.”