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Wanderers drew another blank in defeat at Sheffield United – leaving them three points from safety in the Championship relegation zone.
The Blades completed their first league double against Bolton for 71 years thanks to second-half goals from David McGoldrick and Billy Sharp.
Wanderers could have taken the lead just after half time when Luca Connell curled a cross in for Clayton Donaldson, only for the striker to head straight at keeper Dean Henderson.
Just six minutes later a long ball from the back found Sharp, who wrestled off Jack Hobbs before squaring for McGoldrick to tap in his 12 of the season.
Again, Wanderers could have got back into the game as Jason Lowe’s cross found Sammy Ameobi but his shot was squeezed wide.
New loan signing Callum Connolly also lifted a chance over the bar after being fed into the penalty box by Andy Taylor.
The Blades always looked a danger in possession, though, and their second goal arrived on 73 minutes when Ollie Norwood delivered a perfect free-kick for Sharp to head home from close range on his 500th career appearance.
Gary Madine came off the bench for the home side 10 minutes before the end – and he clapped Bolton fans before walking back down the tunnel at the final whistle.
In Phil Parkinson’s absence, assistant manager Steve Parkin took the post-match media interviews and believed things were going according to plan until the second half.
“It’s a poor defeat because we’re playing against one of the top teams and managed the first half well, I thought,” he said.
“Our game-plan worked in terms of making sure they didn’t completely dominate possession, which they didn’t.
“At half time the local fans and Chris (Wilder) were frustrated. But in the second half we can’t be happy with the goals. We started to lose our shape, maybe sat back a little bit too deep, but we were still very much in the game.
“I think their goal was half a yard offside when the ball gets played down the touchline, which is really disappointing because the linesman is bang in line with it.
“If he gives that, we are right in the game.
“Clayton’s chance at the back stick – it’s a great ball. Goals change games and we have seen that this afternoon.”
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The Blades completed their first league double against Bolton for 71 years thanks to second-half goals from David McGoldrick and Billy Sharp.
Wanderers could have taken the lead just after half time when Luca Connell curled a cross in for Clayton Donaldson, only for the striker to head straight at keeper Dean Henderson.
Just six minutes later a long ball from the back found Sharp, who wrestled off Jack Hobbs before squaring for McGoldrick to tap in his 12 of the season.
Again, Wanderers could have got back into the game as Jason Lowe’s cross found Sammy Ameobi but his shot was squeezed wide.
New loan signing Callum Connolly also lifted a chance over the bar after being fed into the penalty box by Andy Taylor.
The Blades always looked a danger in possession, though, and their second goal arrived on 73 minutes when Ollie Norwood delivered a perfect free-kick for Sharp to head home from close range on his 500th career appearance.
Gary Madine came off the bench for the home side 10 minutes before the end – and he clapped Bolton fans before walking back down the tunnel at the final whistle.
In Phil Parkinson’s absence, assistant manager Steve Parkin took the post-match media interviews and believed things were going according to plan until the second half.
“It’s a poor defeat because we’re playing against one of the top teams and managed the first half well, I thought,” he said.
“Our game-plan worked in terms of making sure they didn’t completely dominate possession, which they didn’t.
“At half time the local fans and Chris (Wilder) were frustrated. But in the second half we can’t be happy with the goals. We started to lose our shape, maybe sat back a little bit too deep, but we were still very much in the game.
“I think their goal was half a yard offside when the ball gets played down the touchline, which is really disappointing because the linesman is bang in line with it.
“If he gives that, we are right in the game.
“Clayton’s chance at the back stick – it’s a great ball. Goals change games and we have seen that this afternoon.”
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