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Ian Evatt admits his side had to overcome a few familiar issues before sealing a comfortable victory to relegate Port Vale.
Fans had to wait until the 77th minute for Aaron Collins to break the deadlock, with Cameron Jerome adding a second in stoppage time.
Up to that point it had been a frustrating affair, where Bolton hit the woodwork three times, had 27 shots on goal, but could not find a way past Connor Ripley in the visitors’ goal.
“It was dominant,” Evatt said of the performance. “Obviously we could again have scored more goals.
“We have seen that game a lot this season. We spoke in the week about how I felt the team has progressed this year and the volume of chances we are creating against that type of opponent – the low block – it has drastically improved.
“We can all see we can score more. We have missed chances again today and sometimes there was some anxiety in the box and we could be more composed but that was because we have seen that type of performance a lot this season.
“The rest of it was very good. Aaron came up with a bit of magic towards the end and then I thought we finished OK as well with Paris’s assist and Cameron’s goal. I think he deserved that.
“If you look at his career you can see he has scored goals wherever he has been and he has really helped this team.”
Dion Charles came in for his first start since February and showed no after-effects of the knee problem that had kept him out of action for several weeks.
Evatt said: “It was great for Dion to get minutes under his belt – there was rust there, we can all see that, but the most important thing is getting him in the best condition for what is ahead of us.
“That will do him the world of good today, confidence wise, and also that there are no issues with the knee.”
Wanderers still have an outside shot of making the top two if they can beat Peterborough United on the final day and Derby are beaten at home by Carlisle United.
The chances are remote but Evatt feels his side has shown progress, even though they have seemingly missed out on a top two spot.
“It’s always the hope that kills you, isn’t it?” the manager said. “But there is some hope and we have seen this game throw up some strange things over the years.
“For us, it is just being in a position to take advantage. We have to go to Peterborough, which is a very tough place to go, and win. If we get a miracle elsewhere then fantastic but if not then we are carrying momentum forwards into the playoffs.
“We have a home second leg, which is vitally important for us, and just speaking to Darren Moore (Port Vale’s manager) there – he is one of football’s great guys – he was talking about how our team has evolved this year and what he thinks is better and has changed.
“Sometimes it can be really positive listening to someone with that outside view of it.
“We’ll carry momentum forward and hopefully in some way, shape or form, get the job done.”
Fans stayed behind to applaud the players and staff off the pitch on their lap of appreciation and will now most likely return at the start of next month for a two-legged semi-final.
Evatt remains focussed on sealing a Championship spot, one way or another, and has appealed to supporters not to be downbeat if they finish below Derby.
“I think what is important for everyone is that we don’t look backwards, only ahead of us. What is done, is done,” he added.
“Obviously there can be frustration, and there is a lot for me, but it is not going to help anyone, moving forwards.
“We need laser focus about what’s ahead. I think we are a good team and I think we are in pretty good form too. I have thought that for a number of months now.
“We are going to have our main players back in good condition now for what is ahead of us, that’s what is really important.”
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