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Wanderers’ B Team left it late to secure all three points against Salford City in the Central League Cup at Lostock.
The visitors went in front early in the second half through Robbie Cleary’s penalty, but Bolton hit back through Luke Matheson, David Abimbola and Trevon Bryan to continue an unbeaten start in the group stage.
Andy Taylor’s side have now taken four out of a possible six points following their 1-1 draw against Accrington Stanley in the opener.
The opening stages at Lostock were cagey, with both sides getting to grips with the conditions after significant rainfall the previous day.
The only clear cut chance of the first half fell to skipper Noah Halford, who flashed a header wide after getting on the end of James Westwood’s corner.
Harrison Fleury saw a low drive held by James Carr after cutting onto his right foot moments before the break.
The game exploded into life in the second half, with a Salford attacker judged to have been tripped in the box. Cleary kept his cool to send Jack Dallimore the wrong way from 12 yards.
Wanderers almost had an immediate equaliser but Mark Isong was denied by the woodwork after some good work by Dubem Eze on the left flank.
Jacob Hamman skipped past a challenge before slicing an effort wide of the near post as the end-to-end nature continued.
Matheson, who looked lively when chances arose to get down the right and join the attack, teed up Halford but the skipper failed to keep his strike down.
Then came a moment of controversy when substitute Bryan thought his strike had crossed the line, but it was not awarded by the officials despite Bolton’s protests.
Sonny Sharples-Ahmed sent a decent strike over the bar before Conor Lewis was denied by the legs of Carr, and it started to feel like Wanderers might not get the breakthrough they deserved.
But Matheson got the Whites back on level terms in the 90th minute with a clever lob over the onrushing goalkeeper after latching onto a ball over the top.
Abimbola completed the comeback moments later, slotting home from close range after more good work by Matheson.
Cleary curled a free kick just wide as Salford searched for a late leveller, but Bryan got his goal at the death. The forward provided a clinical finish after Carr had initially done well to keep out Eze’s shot low to his left.
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