Our Under-21s made it four games unbeaten by recording a 2-1 victory away to Bolton Wanderers on Thursday night.

Goals from Lee Erwin and Jake Skelton within the space of two second-half minutes proved to be enough to seal the three points at Leyland’s County Ground, despite the hosts threatening a late comeback as Filip Twardzik pulled one back in stoppage time.

Kalvin Phillips came closest to breaking the deadlock during a goalless first half, with the midfielder forcing Bolton goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons into a fine save to tip his curling free-kick onto the woodwork just 10 minutes into the game.

Ronaldo Vieira also threatened to put the United youngsters ahead during the opening 45 minutes after seizing upon a loose back-pass, only to be thwarted by the onrushing Fitzsimons.

At the opposite end, Eric Grimes was called into action to deny George Newell from a tight angle, before Bolton’s Tom Walker smashed an effort against the crossbar after a mazy run into the area.

The opening goal eventually came just after the hour mark, Scottish forward Erwin putting the visitors ahead with a composed first-time finish from inside the area after being picked out by a low cross.

Skelton then doubled the advantage with a quick-fire second, rising highest inside the Bolton box to loop a header beyond the helpless Fitzsimons.

The hosts chased a way back into the game but found Grimes in inspired form to tip Nat Phillips’ towering header over the bar before United managed to scramble the ball clear from the resulting corner.

Twardzik eventually got Bolton on the scoreboard with an unstoppable strike from distance in the final minute, but it proved to be too little too late as United made it through March unbeaten.

Under-21s team vs Bolton: Grimes, Purver, P McKay (Vann 72), Skelton, Denton (Pearce 80), Phillips, Sloth, Vieira, Botaka, Erwin (J McKay 85), Mulhern. Subs not used: Oduor, Lyman.