Oxford United's search for a win goes on after an early Dion Charles goal kept Bolton's play-off hopes very much alive despite a spirited recovery from the U's.
United did all they could to find a first win in 15 games, but ultimately were unable to bounce back after going behind in just the seventh minute when Dan Nlundulu got round Stu Findlay and gave the ball to Kyle Dempsey. He fired goalwards and although Simon Eastwood pushed it away, Charles was in the perfect place to send the ball back into the unguarded net.
That early setback seemed to rattle the nervous-looking U’s who gave possession away far too cheaply in the first 25 minutes and struggled to pass the ball to their own team, even when under no pressure from the hard-working visitors.
It didn’t lead to too many chances for the Trotters, but United needed a spark and that came on 39 minutes when the always-enthusiastic Kyle Joseph chased a through ball and was sent flying by wandering Wanderers keeper James Trafford. Ref Sebastian Stockbridge brandished only a yellow card and Brandon Fleming’s free kick was comfortably smothered by the relieved Trafford but it at last got the blood pumping all around the ground.
The crowd found their voice and United ended the half well. Fleming caught a drive better in open play four minutes later but Trafford again gathered and a Brannagan free kick was nodded over the bar by a defender as the U’s began to apply pressure.
That continued after the break when a Ciaron Brown blast, so powerful it knocked his own headband off, was well saved by the increasingly under-pressure Trafford. Marcus Browne and the returning Elliott Moore thumped into challenges as Wanderers wilted, and Joseph should have levelled on 54 minutes when he missed a Sam Long cross in front of goal.
Fleming, hard-working on the left wing, was replaced by the powerful Gatlin O'Donkor for the last half hour and United were in total control. Browne and Joseph fizzed well-struck efforts wide, there were penalty appeals, close shaves and absolute commitment from every player.
In a game of 26 shots at goal, United had 22. Those same stats show they won 60 per cent of the challenges and won 75 per cent of their aerial challenges. But there is only one stat that matters and the one goal belonged to Bolton.
Five games to go and the spirit is very much there, but if you don't win for a third of a season, then the danger is always going to be grow. Time to stand up and be counted.
Starting agaiinst Portsmouth on Tuesday night.
Att: 9,506
Away: 1,344
Polythene UK Fifty/50 winning number 98894 wins £1,114.50
Report by Chris Williams, pictures Steve Daniels, Steve Edmunds, Darrell Fisher and Rex Shutterstock.