It’s that time again as Wanderers turn their attention to the FA Cup and a rematch with Huddersfield Town.
The late drama at the Accu Stadium a fortnight ago will live long in the memories of those who made the trip over the Pennies.
That was followed by another late show against leaders Cardiff City to take the Whites to the fringes of the play-offs.
As Steven Schumacher prepares for his first FA Cup tie as Bolton boss, we take a closer look at how Wanderers have fared in their seven first-round ties since the move from Burnden Park.
Walsall 2-1 Wanderers, 2024
The Whites fell at the first hurdle against League Two opposition last season after conceding a 91st minute winner at Walsall.
Josh Sheehan had initially opened the scoring with a fine free kick but it was cancelled out by former Wanderer Liam Gordon minutes later.
Jamie Jellis completed the turnaround with a clinical finish at the death to secure a second-round tie against Charlton.
Bolton were thrashed at Stockport County a week later as the pressure grew on Ian Evatt, who would depart the club a couple of months later.
Wanderers 4-0 Solihull Moors, 2023
The Whites avoided a potential banana skin against non-league opponents following an emphatic victory.
Ricardo Santos nodded home the opener from Aaron Morley’s corner and Paris Maghoma doubled the lead after Jon Dadi Bodvarsson’s effort had been cleared off the line.
Will Forrester added a third from another corner before Dion Charles saw a penalty saved by Tommy Simkin.
But Charles did get his goal in the final stages, reacting quickest to fire home after Cameron Jerome’s shot had been blocked.
It was Evatt’s first victory in the FA Cup as Bolton boss at the fourth attempt. They also beat Harrogate in the second round before earning a replay against Premier League Luton, who eventually secured a 2-1 victory at the Toughsheet Stadium.
Wanderers 1-2 Barnsley, 2022
Bolton seem to have faced Barnsley in every competition possible over the past few years, but it was the Yorkshire club who came out on top in the FA Cup three years ago.
The visitors took an early lead after a Santos own goal and Adam Phillips doubled the lead with a superb strike from distance.
Bodvarsson headed home Gethin Jones’ cross in the second half to set up a nervy finish but Wanderers couldn’t find a late equaliser.
Remarkably, the result saw Barnsley end a 14-game winless run against the Whites stretching back to 1998.
The Tykes cruised past Crewe Alexandra in the second round but bowed out against Derby in the following stage.
Stockport 5-3 Wanderers (AET), 2021
Bolton were initially drawn at home to the Hatters but there was nothing to separate the sides after an entertaining 2-2 draw, which was Eoin Doyle and Elias Kachunga both get on the scoresheet.
The replay at Edgeley Park turned into a disaster in front of the TV cameras. It started well enough, racing into a 2-0 lead through Kachunga and an own goal.
Stockport pulled one back through Paddy Madden’s spot kick but Amadou Bakayoko restored the two-goal cushion.
Scott Quigley’s header got the hosts back in the tie before Ashley Palmer nodded home a dramatic late equaliser.
Things went from bad to worse in extra time as Quigley completed the turnaround and Ollie Crankshaw sealed the result, sparking a pitch invasion from the home crowd. They suffered a narrow defeat at Rotherham in the second round.
Wanderers 2-3 Crewe Alexandra, 2020
Evatt’s first FA Cup tie at Bolton took place behind closed doors due to the pandemic, as did all the fixtures that season.
Nathan Delfouneso’s brace proved in vain as Mikael Mandron, Oliver Finney and Charlie Kirk netted for the visitors.
Wanderers missed out on a trip to Cheltenham in the next round. It was part of a tough start for Evatt, who managed to turn things around with a remarkable promotion during the second half of the campaign.
Wanderers 0-1 Plymouth, 2019
Keith Hill was in the dugout as Bolton were knocked out by Plymouth Argyle, who were in League Two at the time.
Callum McFadzean fired home after 11 minutes as the Pilgrims secured a first away victory against the Whites since 1967.
Joe Dodoo and Chris O’Grady went closest for Wanderers, who could not find a way back into the contest. Plymouth went out against Bristol Rovers in the next stage after a replay.
Wanderers 1-0 Grimsby, 2016
The only other first-round tie post-Burnden Park saw Phil Parkinson’s side edge past Grimsby Town.
The aptly named Liam Trotter got the decisive goal, heading home Zach Clough’s corner midway through the first half.
It was a seventh successive victory for Parkinson’s side, who would clinch promotion to the Championship later that season.
The Whites also overcame Sheffield United in the second round but were knocked out by Crystal Palace in the third after a replay.
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