It wasn’t pretty at times but nobody can question Wanderers’ commitment and desire as they look to push Derby all the way.

The Whites faced waves of pressure at Bristol Rovers but stood firm to secure another important three points in the promotion race.

Ian Evatt’s side still have plenty of work to do heading into the final four games – and need a helping hand elsewhere – but they certainly aren’t prepared to throw in the towel.

Nathan Baxter played a key role on his return to the side. The goalkeeper had been a constant presence between the sticks prior to a wrist injury, which kept him on the sidelines for a couple of months.

Baxter only had a couple of days in training and the prospect of coming straight into a massive game must have been daunting, but he wasn’t phased in the slightest.

The 25-year-old made a couple of huge saves early in the second half as the hosts were on top and knocking at the door.

He had essentially been a spectator during a cagey opening half hour, with both sides struggling to carve out opportunities in the final third.

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson was inches away from George Thomason’s wicked cross in one of few moments of quality.

The game started to open up as the half went on and Baxter was called upon to tip Luke Thomas’ strike around the post.

Nat Ogbeta went close with an ambitious free kick at the other end. Jed Ward seemed to tip it over the bar but referee Carl Brook awarded a goal kick.

Wanderers have struggled to find their rhythm on the road at times, particularly when the conditions aren’t ideal, and it was starting to look like that might be the case again in the swirling wind at the Memorial Stadium.

The hosts flew out of the blocks in the second half and would have gone in front had it not been for Baxter’s heroics.

The Whites needed a moment of magic, and that is exactly what they got. George Thomason fizzed a pass into Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, who let it ran for Aaron Collins and the Welshman provided a lovely finish to lift the ball over the onrushing Ward.

Collins has scored plenty of big goals in BS7 but this time it was the away end that burst into raptures.

It was a significant game for the Welshman, who made a name for himself during a two-and-a-half-year spell with the Gas.

Collins had been finding his feet at Bolton but entered the fixture full of confidence following his brilliant hat trick against Reading several days prior.

Switching clubs midway through the season is tough – especially joining a promotion push – but the forward is starting to show why Evatt and company were desperate to bring him to the North West.

Matt Taylor made a triple change in search of an equaliser, with John Marquis, Grant Ward and Lewis Gordon all joining the fray. Marquis was immediately involved as he looked to pounce on Josh Sheehan’s error, but Ogbeta got back to make an important challenge.

Hearts were in mouths when Ward was given too much space on the edge of the box, but his low drive crept just wide of the post.

Cameron Jerome made a positive impact off the bench. Evatt has said on several occasions that his substitutes – or “finishers” – have an important to play.

Jerome has regularly been trusted to help see out games when defending leads given his wealth of experience in the game.

The 37-year-old has been relied on heavily in recent weeks while the likes of Dion Charles, Victor Adeboyejo, Dan Nlundulu and Carlos Mendes Gomes have been out of action, and his contributions perhaps go under the radar at times.

But that was certainly not the case against the Gas, winning a crucial penalty in stoppage time after he was tripped by Connor Taylor in the box.

Substitute Aaron Morley stepped up and stuck it away to wrap up the result and ensure Wanderers would return to the North will maximum points.

The midfielder has had to patient for opportunities at times this season, with an array of talent in the middle of the pitch, but has proven his reliability from the penalty spot.

There is no denying it was a high-pressure moment, yet Morley was ice cold to send Ward the wrong way from 12 yards.

The hosts had Chris Martin and an Aguilera on the pitch but it was the travelling Bolton supporters who were singing at full time.

Evatt’s side now have a run of three successive matches coming up at the Toughsheet Community Stadium and will be keen to make them count. However, the upcoming clash with Portsmouth will be as tough as they come.

John Mousinho’s side have one hand on the title following a 3-1 victory against Shrewsbury at Fratton Park. They now have an eight-point cushion at the top of the table.

The trip to Peterborough on the final day is also one of the more challenging matches Bolton could have had, on paper.

But as Evatt has said many times, this club rarely does things the easy way. There will now be plenty of confidence in the camp following a couple of very different – yet equally important – victories.

The only negative to arise from Saturday’s events was the potential injuries to Ricardo Santos and Josh Sheehan.

The Whites have already had their fair share of bad injury luck – in particular, losing Baxter and Charles over the past couple of months.

Santos and Sheehan are two of the most vital cogs in Wanderers’ system and Evatt will be desperate to have them in contention for Pompey.