WANDERERS have reached the play-offs in League One after a 2-0 win against Fleetwood Town at the UniBol.

A first-half own goal and a second from Kyle Dempsey 12 minutes from time coupled with Peterborough’s inability to beat Bristol Rovers at home ensure that the Whites’ season will be extended by at least another fortnight.

Wanderers made four changes to the side beaten by Accrington, including Eoin Toal’s first start since Wembley. Kieran Lee, Elias Kachunga and Randell Williams also came back into the reckoning with three points a must.

The first-half was blighted by a heavy downpour which affected the quality of football for both sides but Bolton were able to sneak ahead before the clouds burst, with Randell Williams’ corner bouncing off Promise Omochere under pressure from Kachunga and rolling past Jay Lynch.

The Whites got themselves into some decent positions from there on in, Conor Bradley and Gethin Jones proving especially fluent on the right. One break just before half time created a reasonable near-post chance for Dion Charles, which he headed narrowly wide.

Fleetwood had a few spells of pressure too, getting joy down their left wing through the enterprising Phoenix Patterson. James Trafford only had one serious save to make, however, and that was from a scuffed shot by Jack Marriott from the edge of the box.

Wanderers were able to get bodies in the way of the vast majority of the visitors’ efforts and maintained a comfortable grip on the lead by the break.

With Peterborough still being held at home by Bristol Rovers, Bolton needed only to keep their nerve and discipline, and their cause was helped when Fleetwood began to lose their own.

MJ Williams and Sam Stockley tangled on a couple of occasions at set pieces – but when one off-the-ball incident was spotted by the fourth official, referee Ben Speedie issued a straight red to the Fleetwood front man for violent conduct.

Wanderers had licence to stretch the game out from there. Charles had a goal disallowed when the linesman judged that Bradley had nudged the ball out of play before sending in a low cross, and another scramble in the six yard box saw Bradley and Lee denied from close range.

Thankfully, the second goal which has eluded them so often in recent weeks was not far away. Williams raided down the left, his cross bouncing off a defender and landing at the feet of Dempsey, who only had to pass the ball into an empty net.

Bolton needed only to manage the game from there. Carlos Mendes Gomes came close to grabbing a goal back in the last minute, stabbing a close range shot at goal that was blocked well by Trafford.

After six minutes of added time Wanderers fans then had a few more nervous moments to wait as the Posh game continued. The final whistle at London Road was greeted with one of the biggest cheers of the day.