Boss Ian Evatt watched from on high as Aaron Collins and Randell Williams scored their first Sky Bet League One goals of the season to earn Bolton a nervy 2-1 win over Burton.
Evatt, banned for three matches following his post-match dismissal in Wanderers’ previous home league game against Shrewsbury, took his place on the television gantry at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
For the first hour, his team’s display was not easy on the eye despite a bright start when Collins might have scored twice in the opening 14 minutes.
So there was relief all round for the Trotters when Collins seized on Williams’ assist and a Brewers mix-up in defence to put Bolton into a 61st-minute lead.
Two minutes later Williams ran onto Kyle Dempsey’s pass to net his first goal since last February.
Burton, still without a third-tier victory this term, were unlucky not to take a 33rd-minute lead as Tomas Kalinauskas’ close-range effort appeared to be blocked by team-mate Mason Bennett.
Danilo Orsi did reduce the arrears after 66 minutes but Bolton held on for a fourth win in five games.