Dion Charles scored the winner but was later sent off accidentally as Bolton beat bottom of the table Forest Green in League One in their pursuit of promotion.
Top scorer Charles propelled Ian Evatt’s side into a six-minute lead with his 13th goal of the season as Wanderers attempted to bounce straight back from defeat at Derby.
However, the home side then had to play with 10 men after a flash point in the 28th minute in which Charles was wrongly red carded by referee Tom Nield for violent behaviour.
Replays clearly showed team-mate Elias Kachunga had lashed out at Rovers defender Brandon Cooper.
Despite Bolton’s protests, and after a long delay, Charles eventually left the field, although the red card can be reversed on appeal.
Rovers won the reverse game 1-0 last October but struggled to make the most of their numerical advantage.
They dominated possession and shots, but Trotters goalkeeper James Trafford was rarely bothered.
Bolton remain fifth in the table, with Forest Green rooted at the foot of the division.
Match report provided by PA Media.
Setups
Bolton
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 19Trafford
- 2Jones
- 5Almeida Santos
- 18total
- 21BradleySubstituted forAimsonBee 90+2′minutes
- 16morleyBooked at 46 minutes
- 22Dempsey
- 27WillemsSubstituted forJohnstonBee 67′minutes
- 17ShorebandSubstituted forLeeBee 72′minutes
- 10KarelBooked at 28 minutes
- 24KachungaSubstituted forWillemsBee 73′minutes
Substitutes
- 3John
- 4Willems
- 6Johnston
- 7Sadder
- 8Sheehan
- 15Aimson
- 20Lee
Forest Green
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 31Doohan
- 22Godwin-MalifeSubstituted forGarrickBee 78′minutes
- 23CooperBooked at 45 minutesSubstituted forCaseyBee 78′minutes
- 6Cargill
- 2O’Keeffe
- 8Henry
- 7stevenson
- 12Robson
- 25Peart HarrisSubstituted forStevensBee 58′minutes
- 28MarchSubstituted forMcAllisterBee 66′minutes
- 21Bakayoko
Substitutes
- 3Bernardus
- 4McGeouch
- 5Casey
- 9Stevens
- 11Garrick
- 17McAllister
- 24Thomas
- Referee:
- Tom Neld
- Presence:
- 16,329
Live text
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Match ends, Bolton Wanderers 1, Forest Green Rovers 0.
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Second Half ends, Bolton Wanderers 1, Forest Green Rovers 0.
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Foul by Kyle McAllister (Forest Green Rovers).
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Kieran Lee (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Replacement, Bolton Wanderers. Will Aimson replaces Conor Bradley.
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Attempt saved. Conor Bradley (Bolton Wanderers) left footed shot saved by the keeper! The shot from the center of the box is saved in the center of the goal.
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Missed attempt. Amadou Bakayoko (Forest Green Rovers) left footed shot from the center of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Baily Cargill with a cross.
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Regan Hendry (Forest Green Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Conor Bradley (Bolton Wanderers).
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Delay over. They are ready to move on.
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Delay in match Oliver Casey (Forest Green Rovers) because of an injury.
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Delay in match Kyle Dempsey (Bolton Wanderers) because of an injury.
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Replacement, Forest Green Rovers. Oliver Casey replaces Brandon Cooper.
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Replacement, Forest Green Rovers. Jordon Garrick replaces Udoka Godwin-Malife.
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Replacement, Bolton Wanderers. MJ Williams replaces Elias Kachunga.
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Replacement, Bolton Wanderers. Kieran Lee replaces Shola Shoretire.
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Attempt saved. Kyle McAllister (Forest Green Rovers) left footed shot saved by the keeper! The shot from the center of the box is saved in the center of the goal. Assisted by Corey O’Keeffe.
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Replacement, Bolton Wanderers. George Johnston replaces Randell Williams.
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Replacement, Forest Green Rovers. Kyle McAllister replaces Josh March.
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Missed attempt. Corey O’Keeffe (Forest Green Rovers) left footed shot from the center of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Udoka Godwin-Malife.
