Wanderers' youngsters slipped to defeat at home to Burnley in their first outing of the calendar year on Saturday.
The Clarets started the quicker of the two teams, hitting long balls and keeping Bolton pinned in their own half.
And on six minutes, their early pressure saw them win a corner and from this, they took the lead.
Despite their set-back, Bolton then took control of the game with Connell, Smith and Darcy dominating the possession and looking to create chances.
Barnes meanwhile was unlucky not to score from a Navarro cross.
Burnley were still looking to hit the Whites on the break though and furthered their lead as another long ball over the top caused a confusion between the defence and goalkeeper, with their striker chipping the ball into an empty goal.
Again however, Wanderers dominated the possession and on 40 minutes, they pulled a goal back after a very good move which saw Darcy score.
The second half meanwhile mirrored the first with Bolton having more of the ball and Burnley looking to hit them on the counter or score from set-plays.
With 50 minutes gone though, the latter happened as the Whites gave away possession in their own half and Burnley scored on the break.
And as they pushed to get back in the game late on, they conceded a fourth from a long throw to ensure that Nicky Spooner's young side started 2018 with defeat.
Bolton: James, Moulden, Preston, Smith, Broughton, Hartsthorne, Moore, Connell, Barnes, Darcy, Navarro
Substitutes: Fearnley, Aspinall, Brown, Edmondson, Senior