EOIN DOYLE’S 16th goal of the season saw Bolton Wanderers leapfrog Forest Green Rovers at the New Lawn as they continued their stunning streak.
The Irishman put Wanderers in front with an emphatic and decisive finish during the first-half which proved to be enough for Wanderers to claim a wholly important three points.
The victory put them into the automatic promotion places ahead of the afternoon’s other scheduled games in Sky Bet League Two.
George Thomason returned to the starting line-up with Lloyd Isgrove being named among the substitutes as Ian Evatt made one change for Bolton Wanderers’ first visit to the New Lawn.
The hosts suffered a blow early on when they lost their leading marksman Jamille Matt who landed awkwardly after being challenged by MJ Williams.
Josh Davison replaced the striker who appeared to have suffered a bad injury to a hand.
Wanderers attacked down the right-hand side but Gethin Jones’ decent cross was caught by Lewis Thomas before it could reach Doyle in the box.
At the other end, Matt Gilks kept out a low shot from Kane Wilson after Rovers pressed forward down the left-hand side.
After a good passing move, an opportunity presented itself for Thomason whose shot from distance forced a save out of Thomas who dived to his right-hand side to claim the ball.
Wanderers took the lead with five minutes of the first half remaining when Doyle fired him his 16th goal of the campaign after latching on to Nathan Delfouneso's cross from the right-hand side.
The Irishman made no mistake as he put his side in front with an emphatic finish from close range.
A quick Wanderers break forward was followed by a lightning exchange of passes which saw the ball fall for John, and he saw a shot went just over the bar.
Aaron Collins fired wide after some patient build-up play by the hosts as they looked to get themselves back into the game.
Wanderers made a double substitution with just over ten minutes to go when Lloyd Isgrove and Arthur Gnahoua came on for Delfouneso and Afolayan.
Andrew Tutte and Shaun Miller were the next changes when they came on for Thomason and Doyle respectively with six minutes of the game remaining.
Wanderers saw out the game comfortably and deserved their latest victory.