WANDERERS (4-2-3-1).

MATT GILKS…7.

Made an important save in the first half from Towell but did his bit by claiming some big catches. Had a heart in mouth moment when he tangled with Henderson.

GETHIN JONES…8.

Some absolutely heroic defending at the end, shutting out Touray’s effort when it looked like it was heading towards goal.

RICARDO SANTOS…8.

Underlined his quality. Great positioning, won everything he needed to in the air, and kept Salford to relatively few shots on goal.

ALEX BAPTISTE…7.5.

Made a difficult night look comfortable. With Baptiste and Santos in this type of mood, the 1-0 scoreline never looked in serious threat.

DECLAN JOHN…6.5.

Defended really well but struggled a little with his set pieces on a poor playing surface. Linked up nicely on the left with Afolayan and Isgrove.

MJ WILLIAMS…7.

Worked tirelessly in a busy midfield to keep things ticking over. Couldn’t be quite as tidy in possession as usual, such was the pace, but dug his heels in when it mattered.

GEORGE THOMASON…7.5.

Ran himself into the ground. Looked absolutely shattered when he skied the final kick of the game – but fully rewarded the decision to play him from the start.

DAPO AFOLAYAN…7.

Salford did not know what to do with him at times in the first half. Worked hard out of possession too. Turning out to be some signing.

KIERAN LEE…6.5.

Came into the game more in the second half, when his calm head set him apart from the frenetic action around him.

LLOYD ISGROVE…8.5.

Best game in a Bolton shirt. You can see why Ian Evatt likes to use Isgrove away from home – worked himself to a standstill and grabbed a vital goal.

EOIN DOYLE…6.

Not his night. Worked hard, used the ball well, but could have played until midnight and not scored. Will shake off the frustration and most likely rectify things at Grimsby.

Subs: Delfouneso 76 (for Afolayan), Miller 76 (for Doyle), Elbouzedi 84 (for Isgrove).

Not used: Delaney, Tutte, Brockbank, Gnahoua.

Salford (4-4-2): Hladky; Clarke, Eastham, Turnbull, Touray; Towell, Coutts, Lowe, Gotts; Thomas-Asante, Henderson.

Subs: Bernard 46 (for Coutts), Hunter 46 (for Clarke), Burgess 72 (for Towell).

Not used: Evans, James, Boyd, Dieseruwe.

Referee: Alan Young 5/10.

Erratic hardly covered it in the first half – and both managers could point to odd decisions that just did not make sense. Improved in the second half, regaining control after issuing a few yellow cards.