What happened at Bolton Wanderers on this day in history?

ON this day – April 3, 1993

MARK Seagraves preserved a 10-match unbeaten run for Wanderers with a late goal at Mansfield Town.

Wanderers had trailed for much of the game but backed by a massive following behind the goal in the second half, Seagraves swooped to scoop home a close range effort at Field Mill to keep the promotion chase glowing White Hot.

Elsewhere in the country that day, all eyes were on the Grand National, which descended into chaos after a false start – rendering the race null and void.

More than £75million in bets had to be refunded by the bookmakers, meaning the Jenny Pitman-trained 50-1 shot Esha Ness never made it into the record books as an official winner.

The Bluebells were number one with Young at Heart, while Mel Gibson’s Forever Young was number one at the UK box office.

FROM The Bolton News – April 3, 1998

DEAN Holdsworth insisted his lack of goals would not get him down at Bolton.

The £3.5million club record signing was preparing to go back to Wimbledon and Selhurst Park for the first time since leaving the Dons, hoping to give Colin Todd’s side something to cheer about after a miserable season.

But as the tabloids spread rumour about a fall-out with his manager and apparent interest from West Ham, Holdsworth wanted to focus on the job at hand.

“I don't want supporters to see me let it get me down,” he said. “I've got to build myself up because I'm out there for the team and that's the important thing.

"Hopefully the goals will start coming soon. I'm looking forward to going back to Wimbledon and it would be nice to think my barren spell could end there.

"But tomorrow isn't about me versus Wimbledon. It's about us and getting the result we need.

"It'll be nice seeing the lads again but that's all. I'm just looking for three points."

FROM The Bolton News – April 3, 2008

STILYAN Petrov reckoned Gary Cahill had blossomed since his January switch to Wanderers.

Rating his former team-mate as one of the best young centre-backs in the country, the Bulgarian midfielder was due to renew acquaintances at Villa Park.

"Gary has been a rock at the heart of their defence since his move to the Reebok Stadium in January.

"I notice he even captained the team in the UEFA Cup. That was a great honour for him and it shows how much they think of him.

"Gary never let Villa down when he was here and he only moved on because he wanted regular first-team football. It should make for a fascinating battle with him up against John Carew and Gabby Agbonlahor."

Gary Megson’s side was still in desperate trouble – and the 4-0 defeat they would received in the Midlands looked to be a fatal blow for their chances of staying in the Premier League.

FROM The Bolton News – April 3, 1991

PHIL Neal remained confident that his side would not lose promotion form despite a defeat against rivals Cambridge United.

Wanderers had dominated the second half at the Abbey Stadium but left with a five-point advantage over their hosts, who had a whopping five games in hand.

“We are in pole position,” said the manager with unswerving confidence. “Cambridge have games in hand but they have to play the top teams. I thought we deserved at least a draw and if we can maintain that sort of performance to the end of the season then I am very optimistic indeed.”

Tony Cunningham, Bolton’s new signing from Bury, sustained a head injury which left him needing six stitches but both he and Mark Patterson – who had a groin injury – counted themselves in for the meeting with Birmingham a few days later.