Dawson The Match-Winner For Trotters
A goal inside the opening five minutes from Craig Dawson settled this npower Championship encounter at the Reebok Stadium as Bolton Wanderers recorded a 1-0 win over Peterborough United.Darren Ferguson's men made a disastrous start, conceding inside the opening four minutes as a corner swung into the near post was headed past Bobby Olejnik by West Bromwich Albion loanee Craig DAWSON.
Grant McCann saw a swerving effort from 25-yards clutched by goalkeeper Bogdan moments later as Posh tried to respond immediately to the obvious setback of conceding so early in the encounter.
Bobby Olejnik produced a stunning save to deny the impressive Lee on 20 minutes after Bolton caught Posh out on the counter-attack. Bolton were dealt a blow when the influential Mark Davies was forced off the field with injury. However, despite appearing to need a stretcher, he gave it a go and was reintroduced into the action, albeit for a minute before giving way to Stuart Holden.
Olejnik made a reactionary save from point-blank range to deny Pratley following a left-wing corner before Ngog glanced a header wide from close-range. Petrucci was forced off with a reoccurance of his hamstring injury on 42 minutes with Jack Payne introduced.
On the stroke of half-time, Mendez-Laing squandered a presentable opportunity to score six-yards out, but he scuffed his effort well wide of the target.
Craig Davies replaced the hard-working Marvin Sordell on the hour mark for the Trotters as Dougie Freedman made his first switch.
Swanson fired wide from distance after a good spell of possession from Posh with the home faithful becoming increasingly nervous.
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Ngog fired wide of the target on 73 minutes before Joe Newell replaced Swanson. Kevin Davies was introduced by Bolton Wanderers.
Alonso saw a shot blocked before firing a whisker away from the far post with Olejnik rooted to the spot. A trademark burst from Rowe saw him exchange passes with Tomlin, but his left-foot shot was comfortable for Bogdan.
Craig Alcock replaced Little on 86 minutes as Bolton continued to protect their early 1-0 lead.
Final Score: Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Posh
Bolton: Bogdan, Rickets, Knight, Dawson, Alonso, Spearing, Pratley, Lee, M. Davies (sub Holden 24min), Sordell (sub C. Davies 60min), Ngog (sub K. Davies 74min). Unused subs: Lonergan, Wheater, Kamara, De Ridder.
Posh: Olejnik, Little (sub Alcock 86min), Rowe, Zakuani, Bostwick, McCann, Petrucci (sub Payne 42min), Swanson (sub Newell 73min), Mendez-Laing, Tomlin, Gayle. Unused subs: Day, Brisley, McDonald, Ferdinand.
Attendance: 15,675 (304 Posh fans)