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.
Denne historien er fra November 19, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 19, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
END OF CUP ROAD FOR EFL BATTLERS
EFL interest in this season’s Carabao Cup came to an end in midweek, but it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying.
GOALS GALORE IN THE TROPHY
THE goals flew in from all angles as the Bristol Street Motors Trophy revved into action again in midweek.
KEEPER GAFFE SINKS TOWN
HUDDERSFIELD boss Michael Duff questioned his players’ mentality after goalkeeper Chris Maxwell’s bloomer handed NonLeague Tamworth a shock win.
ACE SLEW & WILLIAMS SEE OFF REBELS...
DECISIVE goals at either end of the game from Jordan Slew and Rhys Williams helped League Two Morecambe avoid a potential banana skin against National League South outfit Worthing.
MATT'S MEN JUST HAVE ENOUGH GAS
HONEST Bristol Rovers boss Matt Taylor has acknowledged his side were pushed all the way in their tie against Weston-super-Mare.
'WHITES' ARRAY OF FIREPOWER WILL GIVE THEM THE EDGE OVER RIVALS'
GARY Rowett says Leeds’ glittering arsenal of attacking stars will bring the Championship title to Elland Road.
POMPEY'S GAME OF TWO HALVES
Murphy's in to deny the Tigers
SET-PLAY PREP PAYING OFF FOR PELACH
NARCIS Pelach admitted Stoke have been working tirelessly on set-pieces since his arrival – and he was pleased the hard work paid dividends with the winner against Derby.
Robins lays marker to his Sky Blues
MARK Robins has challenged his Coventry City players to go on a Championship charge after the Sky Blues ended their wait for success on their travels with resounding victory against ten-man Boro.
JUST FAB FOUR BAYO IS UNSTOPPABLE
FOUR second-half goals in an incredible display from Vakoun Bayo powered Watford to a resounding victory at Hillsborough.
