The Trotters, who hammered Plymouth 4-0 in last season’s showpiece, met fellow in-form side Stockport County to decide who would win Northern Group E.
Both teams had already qualified for the knockout stages, but it was Bolton who clinched top spot – and a home tie in the last 32 – with a 2-0 success thanks to a double from Icelandic ace Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (37 & 45+1 minutes).
Boss Ian Evatt, who had to watch the game from the directors’ box as he served a one-match touchline ban, told the club website: “I was really pleased with the players’ attitude and the commitment to the game we played.
“Knowing that we had already qualified, knowing there was an international break coming and the tough league fixtures we’d had, their attitude to work and to the game was fantastic, first-class, and our fans turning out like that, they deserved that and deserved us to treat it properly.
“It was amazing that our fans travelled in those numbers (1,539) for this type of game. Great credit to them. It was a pleasure to listen to them singing and watching us play like that. It was a really enjoyable evening.
“It was a professional performance and the only critique is that we should have scored more. Other than taking our chances, everything went to plan. We are pleased to be in the next round with a home draw to come.”
Stevenage and Reading both powered to 5-2 home victories, against Crystal Palace U21s and Arsenal U21s respectively.
It was a good way for Boro to bow out of this season’s competition, finishing third in Southern Group C.
There was an all-action start with Stevenage 3-2 up after just 22 minutes.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
I'd still want to keep Pat on side
Patrick Bamford has always been a player who divides opinion amongst Leeds supporters.
WHITES & THE BLADES SPEED ON
LEEDS and Sheffield United maintained their pace at the top of the table with comfortable home victories - but Sunderland slipped off the summit.
BAILEY: WE'LL GIVE POPPIES THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE
OWEN Bailey knows exactly how pumped up seventh-tier Kettering Town will be when Doncaster Rovers roll into ramshackle Latimer Park today.
TOWN EARN THEIR CORN!
HARROGATE mon Weaver breathed a sigh of relief after his side edged past Gainsborough Trinity at a rain-sodden Exercise Stadium.
OH MY JOSH - O'S KEEPER IS THE HERO!
RICHIE Wellens praised keeper Josh Keeley as Leyton Orient reached the third round following a dramatic win over National League Oldham.
'IT HASN'T BEEN MY WHOLE FOCUS AND THAT HELPED ME
SHAUN Barker never attempted to conceal the fact that he had no burning desire to play football.
MATT'S BOYS SHOW CLASS
WYCOMBE side-stepped a tricky second round fixture by defeating Wealdstone at Grosvenor Vale.
LUKE SEETHES OVER SLOPPY SWANS START
LUKE Williams admitted he gave his players the hairdryer treatment at half-time after seeing them come into the break trailing against bottom of the table Portsmouth.
UPSET FOR HARRIS AS TYLER HITS STUNNER
Neil Harris insisted the fact that Millwall were bitterly disappointed to claim only a point shows the progress his side have made over the past 10 months.
ANTE AT THE DOUBLE FOR ON-SONG CITY
NORWICH head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup paid tribute to the home fans after watching his side come through a tough test against Luton to win comfortably in the end.
