DION Charles and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson were on target for Wanderers as they racked up a fourth win on the spin in League One to consolidate their position in the top six.

Though fully deserving of the points, Wanderers had to wait until the 84th minute for the victory to look completely in hand.

Charles’s penalty just before half time had put the Whites in front but several missed chances left them vulnerable to the sucker punch, until a late moment of madness from defender Sean Roughan gifted Bodvarsson a late second to settle the match.

Wanderers edged a first half which was patchy in quality at times, going in at the break with a 1-0 lead thanks to a hotly-debated penalty converted by Charles.

Referee Neil Hair pointed to the spot after Elias Kachunga had got the wrong side of Adam Jackson, who appeared to pull his shirt. Initially, Hair waved Kachunga’s appeal away, but in a matter of seconds reversed his decision, presumably after an interjection from his assistant on the far touchline.

Charles rolled in his fifth goal of the season having been a constant thorn in Lincoln’s side throughout the half on his return from international duty with Northern Ireland.

Clear cut chances were few and far between. Kieran Lee cut through early on but wasted a good chance on the left side of the penalty box. The visitors cut through after a good exchange between Jordan Garrick and Ben House, forcing James Trafford into a good save at the striker’s feet, albeit one that may not ultimately have been necessary as the linesman raised a flag.

Bolton defended well, the only flutter caused by a low cross from Garrick which crept out of Trafford’s grasp before being cleared behind by George Johnston.

Wanderers pressed high – Elias Kachunga and Charles seemingly enjoying their chance to torment the Imps’ defenders. And though their final pass or finish was sometimes lacking, they deserved to make the breakthrough when they did.

The lead might have been extended at the start of the second half as Jack Iredale’s cross from the right dropped invitingly for Kachunga in the six yard box, but he was unable to turn a shot towards goal.

Though firmly in control of the game and giving little away at the back, the slender nature of the lead left Bolton searching for the security of that second goal.

Things nearly opened up for Bradley after he cut in from the right and broke into the penalty box, and the outstanding Charles also had a claim for a second penalty after being sent sprawling by Regan Poole.

Bolton camped out in the Lincoln half, doing just about everything but adding that second goal.

Lee looked certain to score after getting on the end of Gethin Jones’s low cross but had his shot bounce off a covering defender.

Jackson gave the Whites a reminder of just how slim their lead really was, heading just over the top from a corner, moments after a big penalty shout when Ricardo Santos tangled with Jack Diamond.

Sub Danny Mandriou also flashed a shot at goal after a mistake from MJ Williams.

As the game ticked down to its final five minutes it looked increasingly likely that Wanderers would have to protect what they had – but then a moment of pure madness from Sean Roughan let them see the game out in relative comfort.

The Irish defender inexplicably threw the ball to Bolton Dapo Afolayan, and with the Lincoln back line horribly exposed, he was able to feed fellow sub Bodvarsson to finish into the bottom corner.

Lincoln almost grabbed a consolation in stoppage time when Mandriou crashed a volley towards goal only to be denied by a fabulous reaction save from Trafford.