Young Whites suffer defeat at The Valley
Bolton Wanderers Under-23s lost 2-0 away at Charlton Athletic on Monday despite their best efforts in the capital.
Facing off at The Valley, the young Whites dominated proceedings in the first half but were unable to make a breakthrough.
Alex Samizadeh went closest for Bolton, hitting the post from an acute angle after Alex Perry's free-kick was saved, while Callum Spooner and Cole Lonsdale both remained constant threats outwide.
However, the Addicks took the lead after the break from a free-kick before doubling their lead after Lonsdale was out-muscled in the Trotters box.
And try as they might, Wanderers were unable to find a way back into the game as Charlton saw out the match to inflict defeat on David Lee's young side.
Speaking to bwfc.co.uk after the final whistle, Lee said; “Our first half performance was excellent but we couldn’t break the opponents down.
"We were dominating the game with Samizadeh unlucky not score after hitting the post, and creating a couple of other chances courtesy of our attacking full backs Lonsdale and Spooner.
"The second half started with a French trialist giving a free kick away on the edge of the box, with them scoring the resulting direct free kick.
"We were then unlucky with the second goal as Lonsdale physically do anything about it against a mature opposing player, six years older than himself.
"Today was a test of their desire and attitude against a much more mature team, which at times was answered with some gritty determined performances.
"This will stand them in good stead for their future development."
TEAMS
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Spooner, Lonsdale, Lavelle, Karamoko, Earing, Tanner, Mavinzi, Newell, Perry, Samizadeh.
Subs: White, Turner, Honeyball, Navarro, Politic.