NORTHERN Ireland's record goalscorer David Healy showed his class in front of goal to sentence Bolton's young reserve side to a narrow defeat at Leyland.
Healy struck eight minutes from time with a neat finish from substitute Jordan Cook's low cross as he lifted the ball over Adam Bogdan to keep Sunderland at the top of the table.
The former Preston striker has had limited opportunities since joining Sunderland from Fulham in August but impressed watching manager Roy Keane with the quality of his strike as Bolton were caught on the break.
Alan Cork's side, with Chris Basham again a calming influence at the back, had limited Sunderland to few chances up to that point and looked to have done enough to earn a satisfying point.
Healy was given one earlier sight of goal after a miscued clearance from Michael Burns gave Liam Miller the chance to tee-up his first-team colleague but Healy dragged his shot just wide.
Ex-Manchester United and Celtic man Miller also played the full game and was close to giving Sunderland a 21st-minute lead with a long-range shot which took a deflection off Chris Stokes and forced Adam Bogdan into a fine save.
But Bolton gradually curtailed the Black Cats' threat and had a couple of chances of their own to draw first blood.
Temitope Obadeyi worried the visitors' defence with his pace and just before half-time a powerful run and cross saw him pick out Nathan Woolfe but the midfielder could not beat Nick Colgan with a side-foot shot.
Bolton then had a decent spell mid-way through the second half but they could not produce anything quite as explosive as the fireworks exploding all around the county ground.
Javlon Campbell was unable to direct a header from Robert Sissons' cross on target and it was left to Healy to provide the late sparkle.
Bolton Reserves: Bogdan, Sinclair, Basham, Stokes, Carlisle, Woolfe, Burns (Mooy 80mins), Sissons, Ward (Sheridan 65), Obadeyi, Campbell. Substitutes not used: Brocklehurst, Harsanyi, Gbemie.
Sunderland Reserves: Colgan, Kay, Hartley, McArdle, Liddle, Dowson, Miller, Meyler, Luscombe, Colback (Cook 74), Healy. Substitutes not used: Prica, Misiewicz, Weir, Chandler.
Attendance: 105
