After two draws and a defeat from their opening trio of home games, United's reserve side finally got off the mark on Tuesday afternoon, as they strengthened their position as league leaders.

Playing the second of three scheduled league fixtures behind closed doors at Darsley Park, Peter Beardsley's team took a 27th minute lead against the Trotters when Shane Ferguson's cross from the left flank wasn't dealt and Joan Edmundsson shot home from close range.

That was a fair reflection of the play up until that point, with visiting 'keeper Rob Lainton forced to block earlier efforts from forward pair Haris Vuckic and Phil Airey. Bolton were forced into a change before the interval when defender Ryan Stayte stayed down after a seemingly innocuous challenge and left the field on a stretcher with what looked like a leg break.

Into the second half and after a quiet opening period, the visitors levelled just after the hour mark, United 'keeper Ole Soderberg spilling an Adam Blakeman free-kick and Tom Eaves reacting first to convert from close in.

But just three minutes later United restored their lead when Vuckic and Edmondsson advanced down the left, Paddy McLaughlin helped the ball across to the right and Phil Airey headed home Danny Simpson's centre for 2-1. 

Back came Wanderers and goalscorer Tom Eaves came within a whisker of a second equaliser on 65 minutes, shooting against a post from inside the box and then blazing the rebound wide of Soderberg's goal.

What looked like a planned substitution then saw Danny Simpson's third comeback game at this level conclude midway through the second half, Conor Newton dropping back to right back and James Tavernier inheriting the captain's armband from the departing defender. 

With 16 minutes remaining United sealed the win when substitute Michael Richardson's intelligent pass played in Airey and he made no mistake for his fifth of the season.

Airey made way for Sammy Ameobi and his first major contribution was to climb well and nod the ball on for the advancing Richardson to force a corner off Lainton. And the scoring was completed on 84th minutes when a low left wing cross from Vuckic picked out Ameobi, who shot home on the run into the roof of the net.

A new name at this level was academy goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell, who was an unused substitute.

PS: In answer to complaints regarding their non-admittance policy to reserve games staged at the training ground (this being the second of three scheduled), the club have commented that:  

"...unfortunately our Training Centre is not equipped to accommodate supporters - the decision to play some reserve team matches at clubs' training grounds was taken at a Premier League board meeting in the spring."

Biffa

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