Bolton Wanderers Under-23s extended their lead at the top of the Professional Development League North to seven points on Monday night courtesy of a 3-0 win away at Cardiff City.
Fielding a youthful side, Connor Hall opened the scoring for the young Whites midway through the first half before late efforts from Ryan White and scholar Cameron Moore sealed the win.
Putting in a dominant performance from start to finish, Hall and White combined well in attack early on to create a number of good chances without making the breakthrough.
However, they did not to wait long for the opener as Hall slid in to convert trialist Chris Allen’s cross from close-range for his 18th goal of the season.
James Aspinall was called into action at the other end shortly after the half-hour mark as he palmed away Matthew Campbell’s effort from the edge of the area, but it was to be a rare opportunity for Cardiff as they became limited to long-range effort.
The Trotters continued to dominate in the first half as they put together several more good moves but were unable to find an elusive second goal before the interval.
Despite being given a scare early in the second half as Aspinall was forced James Waite’s thunderous long-range effort over the crossbar, Wanderers continued to frustrate Cardiff as the hosts struggled to break down a disciplined Whites side.
Continuing to create a number of chances following the break, Bolton finally netted a deserved second goal with five minutes left on the clock as White took Dennis Politic’s through-ball in his stride before finishing well from 10-yards.
And the Trotters put the icing on the cake in stoppage-time after Cole Lonsdale played Hall in down the left, the forward cutting the ball back for substitute Moore to finish from close-range.
Speaking to bwfc.co.uk after the game, Under-23s Head Coach David Lee said; “It was a young side tonight but they put in a very professional performance and showed a fantastic desire and attitude to win away from home.
“I can’t single out any individuals as each and every one of the players was very good, and it was a great experience for them to play at the Cardiff City Stadium.
“We dominated the game throughout and were unlucky not score more, putting together several good phases of play while our shape and discipline was also very good.
“The dressing room was buzzing after the game. “We have a feel-good factor and a fantastic winning mentality amongst the group.”
Wanderers starting XI: Aspinall, Morris, Lonsdale, Edwards, Brockbank, Jones-Griffiths, Politic, Earing, Hall, White, Allan.
Substitutes: Navarro, James, Fearnley, Moore, Hartshorne.