Half time:  Bolton 0 Newcastle 0

50 mins Hill shot 0-1 

75 mins Smith shot 0-2

78 mins Smith shot 0-3

Full time: Bolton 3 Newcastle 0

Tommy Craig commented:

"It was a very good first half and we created some good chances.

"I said in my team talk at half-time to just go out there and do it again, but we conceded a goal just after the break which put us off our rhythm.

"The second half was a total contrast to the first and there is no doubt that the scoreline flatters them.

"But you have to give them some credit for hanging in their after taking a bit of a pounding in the first half by us. I still saw some good things, especially in the first half, and we probably created enough chances to win two games."

An uneventful first half at a wet Lancashire FA HQ in Leyland gave little indication of the second half disappointment in store for the Magpies, as three goals without reply left our six game unbeaten record in tatters.

The opening 45 minutes had seen our centre back pairing of David Edgar and Liam Atkin keep Bolton's front two of Bedi Buval and Johann Smith at bay. 

Within five minutes of the restart the breakthrough had come though, when United defender Atkin looked to have got the final touch on a shot (the Bolton website later credited Trotters defender Brad Hill with the goal). 

Having failed to test Bolton's new 'keeper from Oman, Ali Al-Habsi before the goal, we didn't make much more headway after it -   the occasional forays of Alan O'Brien looking our chief threat.

With 15 minutes remaining, the home side doubled their advantage through Smith, who raced clear of Atkin to beat Caig with ease.

And within three minutes, the US-born striker had grabbed his second of the night with a well-struck rising effort that got between Caig and his near post.

We did belatedly create two chances but Daryl Smylie saw his shot in a one on one and then his header in added time both saved by the debutant 'keeper.

Biffa

Reports