Match Report: Bristol City 1-2 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton moved into the Championship’s play-off places after substitute Craig Davies’ penalty secured a 2-1 win over all-but-relegated Bristol City.

The Trotters went ahead inside two minutes after Liam Fontaine turned Darren Pratley’s cross into his own net.

City levelled after the break when Steven Davies headed home from Albert Adomah’s cross.

But with 11 minutes remaining, Matthew Bates tangled with David N’gog in the box and Davies stepped up to convert from the spot.

The result means Bristol City are 10 points adrift with four games remaining while Bolton move up to sixth on goal-difference ahead of Nottingham Forest.

Bolton boss Dougie Freedman made just one change for the trip to Ashton Gate.

Pratley was recalled to central midfield partner Jay Spearing, whilst Sierra Leone international Medo Kamara dropped to the bench.

Following a 3-1 loss to Burnley, City head coach Sean O’Driscoll restored Lewin Nyatanga and Sam Baldock to his starting 11.

The Robins came into the game knowing victory was crucial in keeping their slender attempts to avoid relegation alive, but they went behind after just 84 seconds.

A neat interchange between Marcos Alonso and Pratley allowed the latter to whip a low cross into the six-yard area where the unfortunate Fontaine inadvertently directed past the helpless Tom Heaton.

The hosts responded positively and were nearly as fortuitous in gaining an equaliser.

Liam Kelly’s deep ball forward almost embarrassed goalkeeper Adam Bogdan but the Bolton number one was relieved to see the ball drop just past his far post.
Moments letter, City asked more questions of the Whites’ defence with Stephen Pearson blazing over from 12-yards.

The division’s bottom side spurned a further chance through Adomah before Bogdan produced a smart stop to thwart Davies.

Wanderers tested Tom Heaton via a long-range Pratley drive, which needed parrying over the bar shortly after the interval before City deservedly equalised.

Adomah dispossessed Alonso on the right before sending a delightful cross from the bye-line for Davies to head his 13th of the season in only 18 starts.

City rallied, producing their best spell of the game and should have taken the lead through the busy Adomah.

The Ghanaian goal-bound shot was blocked on the line by Bolton defender Zat Knight after Baldock had beaten the offside trap.

It was a block that gave the play-off chasers a lease of life and it proved divergence as they went on to secure victory.

Bates was alleged to have bundled N’gog inside the area and Bolton striker Davies smashed the resultant penalty down the middle into the roof of the net.

The win was decisive in keeping Bolton’s Premier League dream alive but it all but consigned City to the third tier of English football.