Bolton Wanderers come from behind to beat Salford City

Callum Hendry put the Ammies in front early in the second half, but the Whites hit back through George Thomason and Aaron Morley.

Zac Ashworth came straight into the starting line-up following his loan move from West Brom, which could become permanent down the line.

The versatile youngster bolsters Wanderers’ defensive options following George Johnston’s injury, which is likely to keep him out for the season.

Ian Evatt handed starts to Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Cameron Jerome and Dan Nlundulu, with the latter dropping into the No. 10 role.

Wanderers could have gone in front inside the opening couple of minutes when Kieran Sadlier broke free down the right and picked out Bodvarsson, but the Icelander couldn’t keep his strike down.

Josh Sheehan then dragged an effort wide from distance before Conor McAleny failed to hit the target at the other end after some good work by Luke Bolton on the wing.

Jerome, who caused the Salford backline plenty of problems during the opening half hour, had a half-chance in the box but his strike sailed wide.

Declan John then picked out Will Forrester at the far post with a looping cross. The young defender sent a header just wide of the near post, although it had Alex Cairns scrambling to his left.

Bodvarsson’s injury midway through the first half was a major talking point, and he was replaced by Victor Adeboyejo.

The former Millwall man has had a torrid run of injury luck since his arrival at Wanderers, missing the second half of last term after needing ankle surgery.

Adeboyejo was immediately involved in the action. His goal-bound shot had Cairns beaten but a defender managed to get back and make a vital clearance.

The ex-Burton striker then latched onto Sheehan’s flick and showed composure to go round the goalkeeper, but a defender managed to make a last-ditch challenge as he was about to slot into the empty net.

But the hosts, who finished seventh in League Two last season, looked more threatening in the final third as the half went on.

Joel Coleman, who got more valuable minutes on the pitch, made a couple of decent stops on the stroke of half time. First, he reacted quickly to keep out Luke Bolton’s thumping strike and then got a strong hand to McAleny’s effort.

Salford went in front after the break when Hendry showed good feet in the box to create a pocket of space. His strike seemed to take a nick off Ricardo Santos and wrong-footed Coleman.

Evatt rung the changes during the second half, with Josh Dacres-Cogley, Randell Williams, Jack Iredale, Gethin Jones, Kyle Dempsey, Morley and Dion Charles all joining the fold.

But Salford continued to apply pressure and nearly doubled their lead when McAleny was denied by the post from a tight angle. Jones had initially done well to get a foot in as the attacker looked set to slot home from a low cross.

Wanderers hadn’t been at their best but got back on level terms 17 minutes from time when Thomason caught a volley sweetly on the edge of the box. It flicked off a defender on the way in.

Salford played the final 10 minutes with 10 men after Luke Garbutt was forced off with an injury and suddenly Evatt’s men had all the momentum.

Thomason nearly doubled his tally for the afternoon but was denied by a smart stop by Cairns to his right before an off-balance Charles hooked just wide.

Adeboyejo had another chance in the final stages but flicked over the bar after some good wing play by Williams on the left.

But Wanderers completed their comeback when Morley smashed home from close range after more pinball in the box.

Williams nearly added a third at the death but his low drive crept just wide of the near post.

Evatt’s men are back in action at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Tuesday night when they host Premier League Everton (7.45pm).

Coleman, Forrester (Jones 60), Santos, Ashworth (Iredale 60), Sadlier (Dacres-Cogley 57), Sheehan (Morley 63), Thomason, John (Williams 57), Nlundulu (Dempsey 63), Jerome (Charles 65), Bodvarsson (Adeboyejo 25). Unused: Baxter.