WANDERERS (3-4-1-2).

NATHAN BAXTER…7.

Had to keep his wits about him throughout and came to his team’s aid with a marvellous save from Forster-Caskey in the second half.

WILL FORRESTER…6.5.

Not really a night for neat and tidy defending and while it didn’t all go according to plan the youngster grew in confidence as the game went on.

EOIN TOAL…6.5.

Won’t be happy that Reid worked his way through for the first goal – handball or not – but recovered well and defended stoutly thereafter.

JACK IREDALE…8.5.

There were a couple of nervy moments in the first 45 minutes but so many highlights elsewhere at both ends of the pitch. A worthy man of the match indeed.

JOSH DACRES-COGLEY…6.

Looked a really sound outlet when Wanderers got their football going – but, alas, it didn’t happen all that often.

GEORGE THOMASON…6.5.

Evatt turned to him for physicality in midfield and he gave it. Another booking, and sensibly checked his aggression a little after that.

JOSH SHEEHAN…7.

Wonderful goal and an assist for Iredale’s header too. The Welshman is playing his best football at Bolton to date and looks in the mood.

RANDELL WILLIAMS…6.

Made plenty of raiding runs, often cutting in from the left to try and thread something through the middle. Didn’t all work out but worked hard.

KYLE DEMPSEY…6.

Plenty of perspiration, not a massive amount of inspiration from the captain. Got into some good areas and didn’t get his shot away.

DION CHARLES…7.

Mr Cool from the penalty spot again. Franny Lee would have liked his style. A couple of classy touches in build-up too.

DAN NLUNDULU…5.

Will have to brush off a bad night where nothing appeared to stick for him. Knows he has to win over the doubters – and will have to be better than this.

Subs: Jerome 5, 60 (for Nlundulu) – Horror start. Stronger finish.

Bodvarsson 82 (for Charles), Ashworth 86 (for Williams).

Not used: Coleman, Morley, Khumbeni, Matheson.

Tactics 6/10 – In many ways the gameplan was secondary, this was a night about winning the ball and then winning it again. Not a style that Bolton or their manager particularly relish but they still managed to find a way to win. Not changing players at the break felt like a big call and it proved the right one, although Bodvarsson’s late introduction still raises questions.

Stevenage (5-3-2): Ashby-Hammond; Wildin, Sweeney, Vancooten, Piergianni, Butler; L Thompson, Roberts, Forster-Caskey; Reid, Pressley.

Subs: Burns 46 (for Vancooten), Freeman 74 (for L Thompson), N Thompson 82 (for Piergianni), List 86 (for Forster-Caskey), McDonald 86 (for Roberts).

Not used: Hegyi, Hemmings.

Referee: Josh Smith 5/10 – Not seemingly helped by some patchy decision making from his assistants, Smith struggled to keep any sort of flow in the game. Neither manager sounded especially pleased with what he had got.

Attendance: 17,997